The Israeli Army announced early on Thursday that it carried out overnight a “selective raid” with tanks in the northern Gaza Strip “as part of the preparation” for the invasion of the enclave, controlled by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).

“As part of the operation, the forces have located and attacked many terrorists, have destroyed terrorist infrastructure, anti-tank positions and have carried out organizational work in the area,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) explained.

Furthermore, they have clarified that “the troops have left the area at the end of the mission” and have returned “to Israeli territory,” according to a statement.

The Israeli Army radio announced the military operation minutes before, stressing that the IDF has carried out “an unusual and extensive ground incursion by infantry and armored forces”which has been the “greatest scope and depth” in said territory.

“Its purpose is to attack Hamas targets from within the Strip and strengthen the defense. This is a broader operation than the incursions carried out so far in the last two weeks in the Gaza Strip,” the station noted.

For its part, the Palestinian newspaper ‘Filastín’, linked to Hamas, reported this morning that there are “violent armed clashes” in the central-eastern part of the territory.

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