Israel expands ground incursion in southern Gaza city amid heavy clashes with Hamas

By Xinhua Published: Dec 03, 2023 02:40 PM

A plastic factory is on fire after Israeli attacks in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis Dec. 2, 2023. (Photo: Xinhua)

The Israeli army is trying to expand its ground incursion in Khan Younis city in the southern Gaza Strip amid intense battles with Hamas militants in the area on Saturday, a Palestinian security source said.

"The clashes, which featured heavy gunfire and intermittent explosions, were monitored in more than one location on the eastern border of the city of Khan Younis," said the source who wished to remain anonymous.

The clashes followed intensified Israeli air and artillery attacks on the outskirts of Khan Younis Friday night, according to the source.

Earlier in the day, the Israeli army announced that it attacked 400 targets in the Gaza Strip during the past 24 hours, including 50 targets in Khan Younis, eliminating militants and destroying Hamas infrastructure.

Israel said that Khan Younis, the second most important urban center in the Gaza Strip, has become a stronghold for most Hamas leaders and the bulk of its fighters and missile arsenal after they fled Gaza City and its north.

According to the Palestinian security source, Israel has focused on conducting high-intensity raids on Khan Younis after the seven-day ceasefire with Hamas collapsed on Friday. The war strategy is similar to what had happened on the outskirts of Gaza City prior to the Israeli army's ground incursion on Oct. 27.

On Friday, the Israeli army dropped leaflets warning residents of Khan Younis to evacuate, according to Palestinian security sources.

The sources told Xinhua that the Israel Defense Forces declared Khan Younis as a "dangerous fighting zone", and demanded residents in the areas east of the city to take shelter in Rafah near the Egyptian border.