JERUSALEM, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli military expanded its offensive in Gaza on Sunday, issuing an evacuation warning to parts of central Gaza where its ground forces have rarely operated before.
Military spokesman Avichay Adraee said on social media platform X that Israeli forces would strike "with great force" in the southwestern area of Deir al-Balah. He called residents, including displaced people living in tents, to "evacuate immediately."
The assault would cut access between Deir al-Balah and the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Younis.
Israeli ground operations also intensified in the Jabaliya area in northern Gaza. Since a two-month truce with Hamas ended on March 18, "hundreds" of militant infrastructure sites have been destroyed and "dozens" of militants killed, according to a military statement.
Combat engineering units located and destroyed tunnels in Jabaliya measuring 2.7 km in length and about 20 meters deep, the military said.
The escalation comes as Israeli and Hamas officials hold indirect negotiations in Doha, Qatar, over a deal that would include a temporary truce and the release of 10 living hostages, according to Israeli sources.
Israel launched its offensive on Oct. 7, 2023, following a Hamas-led attack that killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage.
At least 8,066 Palestinians have been killed and 28,939 others injured since Israel renewed its intensive strikes in Gaza on March 18, bringing the total death toll since October 2023 to 58,895, and injuries to 140,980, Gaza-based health authorities said Sunday. ■
