- JERUSALEM — Israeli forces pushed deeper into the Gaza Strip on Sunday with
the military saying it had encircled the Tel al-Sultan neighbourhood in Rafah
in the south of the enclave.
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- In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said troops
had "encircled" the area overnight, killing "several"
militants and raiding what it described as a Hamas command and control centre.
Also read: Hamas political leader killed in Israeli airstrike in Gaza: Report
- "The operation aims to dismantle terrorist
infrastructure and eliminate militants to expand the security zone in southern
Gaza," the military said.
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- IDF-released footage showed troops advancing through the
area with dogs and armoured personnel carriers, firing into damaged buildings
before entering them.
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- Videos circulating on social media showed women, children,
and men fleeing Rafah, Xinhua news agency reported.
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- A military spokesperson said Israeli forces also launched
operations in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza, over the weekend. "Fighter jets
struck several Hamas targets and terrorist infrastructure sites," the
spokesperson said.
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- At least 41 bodies and 61 wounded were brought to hospitals
across Gaza in the past 24 hours, Gaza-based health authorities said on Sunday,
bringing the death toll from the ongoing conflict to 50,021.
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- The renewed Israeli offensive has effectively ended a
two-month ceasefire.
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- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the military
campaign aims to destroy Hamas and secure the release of remaining hostages.
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