Israeli tanks spotted deep inside Gaza Strip as IDF ‘broadens operations’ against Hamas targets

“During the last day, we have broadened the operations of our forces in the Gaza Strip, and additional forces have entered,” IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Daniel Hagari said in his statement to the press on Monday morning.

"By now, Israeli infantry, tanks, combat engineering, and artillery forces are operating on the ground inside the Gaza Strip," he added.

IDF tanks were spotted at a junction on Salah ad-Din Street on Monday morning, several kilometers deep in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian social media reports.

מקורות פלסטיניים הפיצו תיעוד של טנקים צה"ליים דרומית לעיר עזה, בעומק הרצועה@nurityohanan pic.twitter.com/EIHPQNi9eP

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) October 30, 2023

Hagari was asked about the reports but refused to comment on them directly.

“I won’t go into detail here about the position of our forces,” he stated.

During the overnight fighting, Israeli soldiers on the ground – together with air support – eliminated “dozens of terrorists,” who had fired on the IDF from entrenched positions inside of homes.

In one instance, an Israeli force identified a group of 20 terrorists about to attack them and directed the Israeli Air Force (IAF) to strike it, killing all of the terrorists.

Over the past days, Israeli ground forces have directed more than 150 airstrikes by fighter jets, helicopter gunships and drones to eliminate terrorists and their infrastructure.

כוחות צה"ל ממשיכים בהרחבת הפעילות הקרקעית ברצועת עזה; במהלך הלילה חיסלו הכוחות מחבלי חמאס והשמידו תשתיות טרור ומתחמים צבאיים.

צה"ל המשיך במהלך הלילה בהרחבת הפעילות הקרקעית ברצועת עזה >> pic.twitter.com/kl2FfAvhxl

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) October 30, 2023

Overall, the IAF has destroyed over 600 targets in the last 24 hours, including weapons stores, terrorist hideouts and anti-tank fire positions.

The IDF spokesman also stressed that the goal of the ground operation is to return the 239 hostages, among them many foreign workers.