Israel’s air and ground forces are stepping up operations in Gaza, Israel’s top military spokesman said, following reports of heavy bombing in the besieged enclave, reports RTE.
Local telecommunications companies and the Red Cross said internet and cell phone services were cut off in the Palestinian territories.
“In the last hours, we intensified the attacks in Gaza,” Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said during a televised news conference, raising expectations that a long-awaited ground offensive on Gaza could begin.
He said that the Air Force is carrying out massive attacks on tunnels and other infrastructure.
“In addition to the attacks carried out in the last few days, ground forces are expanding their operations tonight,” he said, reports RTE.
Hamas has called on the world to take “immediate action” to stop Israeli bombings.
“We call on the Arab and Muslim countries and the international community to take responsibility and act immediately to stop the crimes and series of massacres against our people,” the group said in a statement, reports RTE.
Israeli forces massed outside Gaza, where Israel has been waging an intense aerial bombardment since a deadly attack by the Islamist movement Hamas on October 7.
Jawal, a Palestinian mobile phone service provider, said the heavy bombardment disrupted services, including telephone and internet.
A statement from the Palestine Red Crescent Society said it had cut off all communications with its operations centre in Gaza and all its teams working in the field.
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