Israeli troops confronted Hamas across the Gaza Strip in the clearest sign yet of the start of a planned ground offensive in the enclave’s refugee-crowded south, as Israeli bombardment killed and wounded dozens of Palestinians, Reuters reports.
On Monday, the Palestinian militant group Hamas said its fighters clashed with Israeli troops about 2 kilometres from the southern town of Khan Younis.
Residents, many of whom have moved there to escape constant bombardment in the conflict, said they heard the sound of artillery and feared a new ground offensive by Israeli troops. The Israeli military had earlier ordered the evacuation of people from parts of the city and its neighbourhoods, but did not announce a new ground offensive. Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters in Tel Aviv:
The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) continues to extend its ground operation against Hamas centres in all of the Gaza Strip. The forces are coming face-to-face with terrorists and killing them.
Hamas media reported early Monday that an Israeli strike killed three emergency workers in Gaza City in the northern coastal enclave.
