Extensive raids are being carried out by the army in Gaza this evening, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said, as heavy explosions rang out in the Palestinian enclave as troops surrounded the city.

“There are now widespread strikes on terror infrastructure, below and above them,” Hagari said in response to a question at a press conference in the evening.

Israeli soldiers and tanks have taken up position inside the Gaza Strip, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Israel has continued its bombardment across the Gaza Strip, saying it is targeting Hamas while accusing it of using civilians as human shields.

At the same time, missile attack sirens sound in the area of ​​Tel Aviv, Ashdot and many other cities in central Israel.

Earlier the Israeli army announced it had deployed to positions along the Gaza coast as part of expanding ground operations, completing the encirclement of the city from all directions.

The operational objective of the ground forces is to surround Hamas forces in Gaza City and strike and destroy selected targets, including major assets and command and control centers belonging to Hamas, according to Israeli forces.