Israeli Forces Briefly Invade Gaza Strip To Attack Multiple Hamas Sites; Withdraw Troops Later

Israel Invades Gaza: Israel ground forces on Thursday operated within the northern Gaza strip attacking multiple Hamas targets before withdrawing, the Israeli Defence Force said in a statement, reported by Reuters. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had announced that Israel would start a ground invasion in the Palestinian enclave but had not disclosed the time of the operation. 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.

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

Palestinian women and children after an airstrike in the Gaza Strip. (Photo credit: AP)

Israel began localised ground incursions on Sunday as the war, triggered by an October 7 cross-border rampage by Hamas gunmen, entered its third week. Israel's Army Radio described Thursday's incursion as the biggest yet. There was no immediate comment from Hamas in Gaza.

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In an address to the nation, PM Netanyahu said, "Israel is in the midst of a fight for our existence. The war's two aims are "to eliminate Hamas by destroying its military and governance capabilities, and to do everything possible to get our hostages back."

According to The Times of Israel, PM added, "All Hamas members are dead men walking -- above and below ground, inside and outside Gaza. Together with Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, Minister Benny Gantz, the security cabinet, the chief of staff and heads of the security organizations, we are working around the clock in order to achieve the war aims until victory, and doing so without political considerations."

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(With agency inputs)