Israel ground forces raid Hamas sites in Gaza, withdraw - military statement

Israeli operation at a location given as the northern Gaza Strip

Israeli armoured vehicles take part in an operation, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, at a location given as the northern Gaza Strip in this still image taken from handout video released October 26, 2023. Israel Defense Forces/Handout via REUTERS

Source: X80001

Video of the overnight action issued by the military showed armoured vehicles proceeding through a sandy border zone. A bulldozer is seen levelling part of a raised bank, tanks fire shells, and explosions are seen near or amid a row of damaged buildings.

The military statement posted online said the incursion was carried out "in preparation for the next stages of combat", a possible reference to the large-scale invasion that Israeli leaders have threatened as part of the war to destroy Hamas.

"The soldiers have since exited the area and returned to Israeli territory," the military statement added.

Israel began localised ground incursions on Sunday as the war, triggered by an Oct 7 cross-border rampage by Hamas gunmen, entered its third week. Israel's Army Radio described Thursday's incursion as the biggest yet.

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Vietnam Roundup: AI reshapes education, US partnership grows in Quảng Trị, Australia seeks deeper economic ties

There was no immediate comment from Hamas in Gaza.

This article was produced by Reuters news agency. It has not been edited by Global South World.

By Reuters