The Israeli military claimed Sunday that its ground invasion has reached every section of Gaza, and it ordered further evacuations in the congested south while warning that operations against the Hamas terrorist group there would be "no less powerful" than those in the north.
Hamas-backed militants battled with Israeli forces roughly 2 kilometers (1 mile) south of Khan Younis.
The Israeli military had already ordered residents to leave some locations in and around the city, but there had been no mention of a fresh southern ground attack.
“The IDF [Israel Defense Forces] continues to extend its ground operation against Hamas centers in all of the Gaza Strip,” spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters in Tel Aviv in the clearest sign its planned ground offensive in the south had begun. “The forces are coming face-to-face with terrorists and killing them.”
Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement announced on Sunday that it targeted two Israeli ships in the Red Sea with an armed drone and a missile in solidarity with Hamas.
The Pentagon also stated that it was aware of rumors of an attack on an American vessel, the USS Carney, but declined to elaborate. There was no independent confirmation from Israel or the US of the assaults or what, if any, damage they inflicted.
Eylon Levy, a spokeswoman for Israel's government, claimed the military had targeted more than 400 targets over the weekend, "including extensive aerial attacks in the Khan Younis area," as well as killed Hamas terrorists and damaged their infrastructure near Beit Lahiya in the north.
There was no quick reaction on specific reports of assaults.
The resumed fighting came after a seven-day respite in hostilities between Israeli troops and Hamas militants that permitted the exchange of 105 hostages held by Hamas, the majority of whom were Israelis, for 240 Palestinian inmates.
According to the Hamas-controlled health ministry, more than 15,523 individuals have been murdered in nearly two months of fighting that erupted following a Hamas cross-border attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7 in which 1,200 Israelis were killed and around 240 taken captive. According to Israel, Hamas is still holding 136 captives.
Israel has pledged to destroy Hamas. The Iranian-backed gang has vowed to destroy Israel. The first Hamas strike and subsequent battle among the deadliest episodes in the decades-long Israel-Palestinian conflict.
The Israeli military did not immediately reply to a request for comment, but it has repeatedly stated that it is targeting Hamas military bases and has requested civilians to relocate to safe zones so that humanitarian relief may be delivered.
