JERUSALEM: Israeli troops and tanks attacked Gaza’s main northern city from both sides, three days after they began major ground offensive in Palestinian enclave that has drawn more international calls for civilians to be protected.

Israel’s military said it had struck more than 600 fighter targets over past few days as it expanded ground operations in Gaza Strip, where Palestinian civilians are in dire need of fuel, food and clean water as war enters its fourth week.

Fighters said they had repelled an attempted push from Israel tanks into Gaza City from east and were fighting them on border with Israel.

“Our duty today is fight and fight,” Islamic Jihad group, fighting alongside Hamas, said in statement, adding that now was not time for truce.

Israeli military said it had killed four prominent Hamas operatives.

On Monday, residents said Israeli forces carried out dozens of air strikes on city’s eastern side, with some reporting roar of tanks rolling in amid exchanges of fire.  Palestinian health officials said air strikes had hit near three large hospitals in Gaza City.

UN humanitarian office OCHA said 117,000 civilians are sheltering alongside patients and doctors in hospitals in north. Air strikes could also be heard in southern towns of Rafah near Gaza’s only operational border crossing, with Egypt, as well as east of Khan Younis, where Palestinian media said Hamas clashed with Israeli troops.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad said they were also fighting Israeli forces in Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Jenin. Palestinian health ministry said four people were killed there on Monday and Israel said an air strike killed several fighters.

Israel said it had arrested 700 Hamas fighters in the West Bank. Palestinian health ministry said 121 people had been killed in West Bank and East Jerusalem since October 7.

Palestinian Prisoners Association said 1,680 people had been detained, including women, elderly and minors. Islamist groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad said their members were also fighting Israeli forces in Israeli-occupied West Bank city of Jenin, where scores of Palestinians have been killed and hundreds arrested since October 7.

On Monday, Syrian state TV said Israeli air strikes targeted two army posts in Daraa, leading to “Some material losses”.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 31 2023

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