Israeli troops entered northern Gaza overnight and are still “in the field”, say IDF

The Israeli military said this Saturday (28) that it entered northern Gaza overnight and expanded military operations with infantry and armor in the region, as it intensifies the attack against Hamas.

Military spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israeli forces were still “in the field”, without giving further details.

Hagari also highlighted that they were “scaling up the humanitarian effort” this Saturday and will allow trucks carrying food, water and medicine to enter southern Gaza.

The military attacked Hamas commanders overnight, including the leaders of the group’s naval and air forces, which Hagari said would allow “forces on the ground to fight a weaker enemy.”

Death of Hamas commander

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated this Saturday (28) that a fighter jet attack killed Asem Abu Rakaba, one of the Hamas air operations chiefs who helped plan the October 7 attack.

Rakaba would have commanded Hamas members who invaded Israel using paragliders, in addition to being responsible for drone attacks against Israeli military posts, according to the IDF note.

“Abu Rakaba was responsible for Hamas’ UAVs, drones, paragliders, aerial detection and defense,” said the statement on social media.

Expansion of land operations

In addition to intensifying bombings against the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces stated that they are “expanding ground operations”.

The announcement was made by IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari also on Friday (27), after a rocket fired by Hamas hit a residential building in Tel Aviv and caused a fire.

Israeli troops are “operating in force” on all fronts in order to fulfill their objectives in the war with Hamas, and “will continue attacking Gaza City and calling on civilians to evacuate the south,” Hagari said.

*published by Tiago Tortella, from CNN

*with information from Reuters