The hammering continues in the Gaza Strip with the Israeli forces asserting that they have cut the area in two, with the aim of “annihilating” the command center of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas.

According to the IDF, ground troops captured a Hamas stronghold during the night and approx 450 sites belonging to the group were hitas Israel’s ground attack on the Gaza Strip continues.

The complex contains observation posts, training areas for Hamas operatives and underground terror tunnels. Several Hamas terrorists were killed during the operation as troops occupied the site.

Alongside, the Israeli army points out that it has killed several its commanders Hamas while among the victims is also Jamal Musahead of Hamas’ special operations.

Gaza Hospital

Also, the Navy also carried out strikes against Hamas sitesincluding command centers, and additional guided missile launch sites and observation points.

Israeli troops and Hamas fighters also engaged in house-to-house fighting in densely populated Gazawhere the war has driven 1.5 million people to flee to other parts of the territory in a desperate search for protection.

“We are hitting Hamas and advancing from fortress to fortressaccording to our plan, in a systematic effort to dismantle Hamas”the Israeli military spokesman told CNN Jonathan Conricus.

“We have troops on the ground – infantry, armored, combat engineers. They also strike and direct fire from the air”he said, adding that efforts are focused on the “underground infrastructure” network of Hamas tunnels.

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“That hit was like an earthquake”said Gaza City resident Alaa Abu Hasera, in a devastated area where entire blocks were reduced to rubble.

The Ministry of Health in Gaza reports that more than 9,770 people, mostly civilians, have been killed by Israeli strikes and the intensified ground campaign since the start of the war.

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New communications blackout in Gaza

It is also worrying that earlier, there were reports that phone and internet services were cut again in Gazain accordance with BBC.

The Palestinian Red Crescent charity said that this is the “third communications blackout” in Gaza since the start of the war as a result of which they have lost contact with their groups.

The head of the World Health Organization Tedros Andanom Gebregesus stated that “very worried” for the reports on “another disruption of connectivity in Gaza, as well as heavy shelling.”