ISRAEL claims to have encircled Gaza City and split the besieged enclave in two almost a month on from the horror October 7 massacre.
The IDF is determined to topple Hamas terrorists from power in the region – with troops expected to pour into Gaza City in the next 48 hours.
Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari declared: “Today, there is north Gaza and south Gaza.”
He insisted it was a “significant stage” in Israel’s progress against Hamas militants after more than 1,000 people were slaughtered.
In the past 24 hours, 450 Hamas targets in Gaza were struck by Israeli fighter jets as Israel continues its bombardment of enclave in retaliation for the massacre.
Senior Hamas commander Jamal Mussa – who headed the group’s special security operations – was among those killed, the IDF said.
Israel said its troops had also seized a militant compound and blasted hit “tunnels, terrorists, military compounds, observation posts, and anti-tank missile launch posts”
Israeli army spokesman Jonathan Conricus said: “We will take the fight to Hamas wherever they are – underground, above ground.
“We will be able to dismantle Hamas, stronghold after stronghold, battalion after battalion, until we achieve the ultimate goal, which is to rid the Gaza Strip – the entire Gaza Strip – of Hamas”
It comes as aerial pictures suggest Hamas terrorists are storing weapons under a hospital.
New photographic evidence released by Israel appears to show an entrance to underground tunnels under the Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa bin Thani hospital, north of Gaza City.
The IDF said: “How would you feel knowing that underneath the local hospital there are tunnels used for stockpiling weaponry, hiding murderers and the planning of terrorist attacks against civilians?”
Benjamin Netanyahu is refusing to allow a ceasefire until hostages are released – defying calls from Middle East leaders and the Pope amid concerns over the number of civilian deaths.
The Israeli president insisted: “Our enemies misjudged us. There will be no ceasefire without the return of the hostages.
“This should be completely removed from the lexicon. We say this to our friends and to our enemies.
“We will simply continue until we defeat them. We have no alternative.”
Health officials in Hamas-controlled Gaza said more than 9,770 Palestinians have been killed in the war since it erupted on October 7.
Meanwhile, Brits have been warned not to travel to Lebanon amid growing tensions in the region.
The Foreign Office has also evacuated its staff it Lebanon embassy as the “risk of civil unrest” ramps up and Israel and Hezbollah group continue to trade fire along the border.
