Israel Military Expands Ground Operations in Northern Gaza Strip... "Strikes 600 Hamas Facilities"

SNS Reports "Over 20 Hamas Operatives Eliminated"
"Advancing Slowly... Approaching and Attacking Terrorists"
AFP "Israeli Forces Seem to Have Entered Gaza City"

The Israeli military, which has officially launched a ground operation in the Gaza Strip to eliminate the Palestinian armed faction Hamas, announced on the 30th (local time) that it is expanding the scale of the operation and continuing attacks targeting Hamas bases. The Israeli military appears to have entered Gaza City, the central city of the Gaza Strip.

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

According to The Guardian, AFP, and other sources, the Israeli military stated in a statement released on the social media platform X on the morning of the same day that ground forces expanded operations overnight in northern Gaza Strip, eliminating dozens of Hamas militants.

The Israeli military explained, "During the armed conflict in the Gaza Strip, dozens of terrorists who barricaded themselves in buildings and tunnels and attempted to attack our forces were killed." Following the guidance of ground forces inside the Gaza Strip, drones and fighter jets were deployed to strike about 600 Hamas facilities, including weapon storage sites and hideouts, eliminating around 20 Hamas militants.

Daniel Hagari, the chief spokesperson for the Israeli military, conveyed the news of dozens of Hamas militants killed during a morning briefing, stating, "The Israeli military is gradually advancing in the Gaza Strip according to plan." While he could not confirm the exact locations of the Israeli forces, he said, "We are conducting an expanded ground war in the Gaza Strip. We are approaching the terrorists and attacking those who have built defensive walls from the air."

Additionally, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) attacked Hamas military structures with fighter jets and arrested 51 people in Judea and Samaria, of whom 38 were Hamas terrorists, the military said.

Regarding the day's battle situation, AFP cited witnesses reporting that Israeli tanks entered the outskirts of Gaza City and blocked key roads running from the north to the south. A video was also posted on social media showing an Israeli tank stationed by the roadside firing at a passenger car approaching at close range.

Residents inside the Gaza Strip told foreign media that gunfire and explosions were heard throughout the night. Foreign media also reported that communications such as telephone and internet briefly seemed to recover inside Gaza but were cut off again.

The Israeli military began limited operations on the 22nd by sending some troops and tanks into the Gaza Strip. Subsequently, on the 28th, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the 'second phase of the war,' initiating a full-scale ground battle with Hamas while occupying part of northern Gaza.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.