Israeli Tank Raid Hits Targets In Gaza

Israeli tanks entered the Gaza Strip on Wednesday night in the biggest raid into the Palestinian territory since the beginning of the war with Hamas on October 7.

Israel’s defence forces (IDF) said the Givati Brigade had pushed into Gaza “as part of preparations for the next stages of combat”.

The IDF said it had targeted anti-tank missile posts, Hamas fighters and “operated to prepare the battlefield”.

Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, confirmed last night the offensive would go ahead despite reports of US pressure to delay the attack until air defences have been distributed across the Middle East to protect American troops.

Israeli forces have been conducting limited operations in Gaza ahead of a full-scale invasion.

After Netanyahu’s speech, the IDF carried out its largest raid yet into Gaza, releasing video of a column of tanks entering Gaza and firing at Hamas positions.

The tanks were accompanied by bulldozers, which demolished sections of the border fence between Israel and Gaza to allow tanks to pass through.