Israeli troops have crossed the outskirts of Gaza and are advancing, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He did not provide further details about the progress of the operation.
– We are at the peak of the battle. We have achieved impressive successes and have crossed the outskirts of Gaza City. “We are moving forward,” Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office.
As reported by Reuters and the BBC, the head of the Israeli government did not provide further details on the progress of the operation.
“Earlier, our correspondents in Gaza reported that the Israeli army was fighting armed Hamas members in five areas in the north of the Gaza Strip,” the BBC reported. In turn, Palestinian sources told Reuters that “Israeli forces are still outside the city, on the outskirts, which means that Hamas resistance is stronger than expected.”
Israeli troops near the border with the Gaza Strip ABIR SULTAN/PAP/EPA
Chief of Staff of the Defense Forces Israel General Herci Halevi announced in a televised speech that “Israeli forces are at the center of the ground operation in the north of the Gaza Strip.”
Decision to donate fuel
During Thursday’s press conference Benjamin Netanyahu he also said that the Israeli government has not made any decision to transfer fuel to the Gaza Strip, although it is involved in humanitarian aid.
– We have not made any decision to donate fuel. I have not given any such order, and the war cabinet has not approved any decision, added the Israeli prime minister.
Hamas attack on Israel PAP/Reuters – Maciej Zieliński
Main photo source: ABIR SULTAN/PAP/EPA