Israel says ground operations expanding as it intensifies Gaza bombing

TEL AVIV: Israel has said its ground forces are “expanding operations” targeting Hamas in Gaza, BBC reported.

Huge explosions were seen in the territory, with Israeli warplanes carrying out heavy strikes, according to the report.

Hamas, meanwhile, said that clashes have taken place in northern Gaza while media reports said some Israeli troops and tanks have entered the strip.

Earlier, an Israel Defense Forces spokesman told Gaza City residents to move south for their safety, according to BBC report.

Communication networks went down around the same time, meaning residents in Gaza can’t be contacted.

On the other hand, the UN General Assembly called for an immediate humanitarian truce, with 120 states voting for a resolution put forward by Jordan.

Israel has been bombing Gaza since the 7 October Hamas attacks that killed 1,400 people and saw 229 people kidnapped as hostages, reports said.

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says 7,000 people have been killed since Israel’s retaliatory bombing began.

(Inputs from BBC)