Israeli tanks and ground forces launch major overnight raid into northern Gaza

Israeli tanks and ground forces launch major overnight raid into northern Gaza

Reuters
Oliver Trapnell

By Oliver Trapnell


Published: 26/10/2023

- 07:05

Updated: 26/10/2023

- 12:15

The Israeli military described the raid as the biggest incursion of the current war

IDF forces have launched an overnight raid into norther Gaza as the bulk of Israeli forces still wait for to begin a major ground invasion into Gaza.

Offials said the raid targeted multiple Hamas terrorists and equipment, including anti tank missile launch posts.


WATCH NOW: Mark White says ground invasion is inevitable

Video of the overnight action issued by the military showed armoured vehicles proceeding through a sandy border zone.

A bulldozer is seen levelling part of a raised bank, tanks fire shells, and explosions are seen near or amid a row of damaged buildings.

The military statement posted online said the incursion was carried out "in preparation for the next stages of combat", a possible reference to the large-scale invasion that Israeli leaders have threatened as part of the war to destroy Hamas.

"The soldiers have since exited the area and returned to Israeli territory," the military statement added.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

Israeli tanks enter northern Gaza

Israel began localised ground incursions on Sunday as the war, triggered by a 7 October cross-border rampage by Hamas gunmen, entered its third week

Reuters

Israel began localised ground incursions on Sunday as the war, triggered by a 7 October cross-border rampage by Hamas gunmen, entered its third week.

There was no immediate comment from Hamas in Gaza.

The latest from the Gaza frontline comes as Israel demanded the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres resign after making "horrible" comments about the Hamas attack on the country.

Speaking on the unprovoked 7 October attack, Antonio Guterres claimed the Hamas attack "did not happen in a vacuum", sparking outrage from Israeli officials.

Israeli tanks

The military statement posted online said the incursion was carried out 'in preparation for the next stages of combat'

Reuters

Gilad Erdan, Israel’s ambassador to the UN said it was "truly sad that the head of an organisation that arose after the Holocaust holds such horrible views. A tragedy."

The Israeli delegation claimed Guterres had "expressed an understanding for terrorism and murder".

Erdan then continued by demanding Guterres immediately resign and said he was not fit to lead the UN.

He later said on social media that Guterres’s speech was "shocking".

"The Secretary-General is completely disconnected from the reality in our region," he wrote.

"There is no justification or point in talking to those who show compassion for the most terrible atrocities committed against the citizens of Israel and the Jewish people."

You may like