While Israel is planning on withdrawing thousands of its reservists from active service in Gaza, its massive bombardment of the strip appears to be, at least for now, stepping up, according to the latest reports on the ground.
Israel Defence Forces tanks and aircraft hit southern parts of Gaza with heavy strikes overnight, according to widespread reports.
Eastern and northern parts of Khan Younis were bombarded, according to residents, as IDF operations continue to intensify in the south of the enclave.
Even further south, in the city of Rafah there are reports of civilians hiding between animal cages in the local zoo.
Elsewhere, however, tanks were reportedly withdrawing.
Eyewitnesses told the Reuters tanks left Gaza City’s al Mina district and
parts of Tel al Hawa district, while holding some positions in
the suburb controlling the enclave’s main coastal road.
The same could not be said for the al Bureji refugee camp in central Gaza, where tanks carried out shelling, according to eyewitnesses.
We’ll be bringing you the latest from the ground as the day continues.