The Israeli military has said its ground offensive is expanding to every part of Gaza as its campaign to oust Hamas continues.
Tanks have cut off the road between Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, effectively dividing the Gaza Strip into three, the Reuters news agency reported on Monday.
It suggests Israel’s planned ground offensive in the enclave’s refugee-crowded south has begun.
Follow live: Military operations ‘almost complete’ in north of Gaza
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People in Gaza had feared an Israeli ground offensive on southern areas was imminent.
Residents said they heard airstrikes and explosions in and around Khan Younis overnight and into Monday after the military dropped leaflets warning people to relocate further south towards the border with Egypt.
Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters in Tel Aviv: “The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) continues to extend its ground operation against Hamas centres in all of the Gaza Strip.”
On Monday morning, the IDF issued new orders to people in around 20 areas of southern Gaza to evacuate.
It posted a map on X, formerly Twitter, with arrows pointing to areas civilians should head to.
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