On Wednesday, the goal was to find the tunnel and stop it, as the Israeli offensive entered a new phase. Engineer troops used explosives to destroy a network of tunnels stretching several hundred kilometers, said Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, a spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Two sources in Hamas and the Islamic Holy War group said the Israeli tanks faced stiff resistance from Hamas fighters who used the tunnels to carry out ambushes.

The news agency said it was not yet possible to confirm the information from either side.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel had “one target – Hamas terrorists in Gaza, their infrastructure, commanders, bunkers, communications centers”. At the same time, many Israelis worry that fighting in Gaza will increase the danger for hostages held in the besieged enclave and believed to be in the tunnels.

– I challenge Israel to show anything they have achieved militarily on the ground so far, apart from killing civilians, Hamas leader Ghazi Hamad told Al Jazeera.

– Gaza cannot be divided and will remain a thorn in the throats of America and Zionists, he said.

Since the outbreak of war a month ago, more than 10,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, according to figures from the besieged enclave’s Ministry of Health. The war began after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, killing more than 1,400 people, according to Israeli data.

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