Israel is likely to begin its ground offensive anytime now with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant proclaiming on Tuesday that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is moving to a "full offense" against the Gaza Strip. The country is also expanding the mobilisation of reservists to 360,000.
This comes as IDF jets continued to pound the Palestinian enclave, home to 2.3 million people that has been governed by Hamas since 2007. On Tuesday, Israel warned civilians to evacuate neighbourhood after neighbourhood before raining bombs on buildings, in what many see as a prelude to ground offensive, reported Associated Press.
On Tuesday, IDF said its fighter jets hit more than 200 targets over the past 24 hours, including the ones in al-Furqan, dubbed after a mosque in the area in the city. Israel labels the area "nest of terror" used by Hamas to launch attacks against Israel. Over 450 targets were hit in total so far.
The Israeli military said it also struck hundreds of targets in Rimal, an upscale district home to ministries of the Hamas-run government, universities, media organisations and the aid agency offices.
While Israeli warplanes hammered Gaza Strip, Gazans scrambled for safety in the tiny, sealed-off territory. Hospitals are reportedly filling to the brim with injured people who struggle for medicines and other essential items. Israel had closed off the borders, stopping entry of food, fuel and medicines into Gaza. The only remaining access from Egypt was also shut down on Tuesday after airstrikes hit near the border crossing. Israel's military said it had regained effective control over areas Hamas attacked in its south and of the Gaza border.
Local media reports added that a lot of residents were still trapped under the rubbles. Over 30 people were evacuated by Palestinian Civil Defense forces out of the basement of a buildings.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military said more than 1,000 people, including 155 soldiers, have been killed in Hamas attack. In Gaza, 900 people have been killed, including 260 children and 230 women, according to authorities there. Over 1,500 Hamas men were also reported to be killed.
In Gaza, more than 200,000 people have fled their homes, the U.N. said.
Missiles from Lebanon, Syria
Israel said missiles were launched at northern Israel from both Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday. In retaliation, Israeli military began shelling posts in both nations in response.
The Israel Defense Forces said 15 rockets were fired from Lebanon at the Western Galilee, setting off sirens in several towns. Four projectiles were intercepted by the Iron Dome air defense system, while the rest landed in open areas, causing no damage or injuries, the IDF said.
An anti-tank guided missile was launched from Lebanon at an armored vehicle near the northern town of Avivim. No soldiers were wounded. The military said a combat helicopter struck a third Hezbollah post in response to that attack.