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Israeli troops raid West Bank, kills 4 militants; air strikes continue in Gaza

Palestinian death toll crossed over 22,000

Israeli soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in this handout picture | Reuters

Heavy airstrikes and artillery shelling were reported in the southern city of Khan Younis on Tuesday. Fighting was also under way in and around the built-in Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza. The heavy fighting comes amid Israel signalling a change in its strategy by withdrawing some of its troops from south of Gaza.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) also claimed that the military had killed four alleged Palestinian militants during a raid in the occupied West Bank town of Azzum.

Accrding to IDF, the militants were killed during an exchange of fire in which one Israeli soldier was also injured, said IDF on Twitter.

According to UN, 307 Palestinians, including 79 children, had been killed by the Israeli military since October 7 Hamas attack.

Meanwhile, over 22,000 Palestinians were killed so far in Israeli attacks.

Also, Israeli military has claimed to have killed about 8,000 fighters in the Gaza Strip during its campaign.

As the war rages on, an estimated 85% of Gaza's population has been displaced by Israeli military action. According to Israeli officials the offensive will go on for several months.

"In Jabaliya area, troops killed dozens of terrorists, among them those who attempted to plant explosive devices, others who operated drones and those who were armed identified driving toward the forces," the military said in its daily briefing.

Troops also seized weapons and dismantled rocket launchers in Khan Younis in the south and in a United Nations school in Al-Bureij.

However, the four alleged Palestinian militants killed reveals that the war is spreading out of Gaza.

Meanwhile, Hamas' armed wing on Monday claimed to have killed 15 Israeli soldiers after triggering an explosive minefield east of the Tuffah neighbourhood in Gaza City.

Though Washington has been urging Israel to reduce the intensity of its military operations, nothing seems to be slowing down the attacks. Also, Qatar and Egypt are seeking to negotiate a new truce and hostages deal.