Israeli warplanes pounded northern areas of the Gaza Strip while its ground forces expanded operations on the ground a day after rumbling into the territory in a much-anticipated invasion aimed at destroying the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
With the ground operation backed by a massive bombardment coming from both the air and the sea and featuring an expansive targeting of Hamas tunnels in Gaza, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Saturday that the war had “entered a new phase,” according to the Times of Israel.
The ground operation featuring infantry troops and armored vehicles had initially begun in fits and starts during recent days but appeared to be in full swing on Saturday, three weeks after Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault on Israel that killed more than 1,4000 civilians and soldiers.
The pounding of Hamas and other targets inside Gaza on Friday night and Saturday was described by residents of the besieged enclave as the most intense by Israeli forces thus far.
The Associated Press reported that the Palestinian death toll in Gaza on Saturday rose to just over 7,700 people since Oct. 7, with 377 deaths reported since late Friday, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. A majority of those killed have been women and minors, the ministry said.
With the latest bombardment knocking out communications across Gaza, Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra told reporters the disruption had “totally paralyzed” the health network.
The Israeli military released grainy images Saturday showing tank columns moving slowly in open areas of Gaza, many apparently near the border and said warplanes bombed dozens of Hamas tunnels and underground bunkers.
“The forces are still on the ground and are continuing the war,” said the army spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, indicating that the next stage has begun in what is expected to evolve into an all-out ground offensive in northern Gaza.
The Times of Israel reported that Defense Minister Gallant said overnight on Friday that “the ground shook in Gaza.”
“We attacked above ground and below ground, attacking terrorists of all ranks, in all places.” The war will continue “until further notice,” he said.
Early in the war, Israel had already amassed hundreds of thousands of troops along the border with Gaza. Prior to Saturday, troops had conducted brief nightly ground incursions before returning to Israel.
• This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Guy Taylor can be reached at gtaylor@washingtontimes.com.
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