Politics Israel: Dozens of Hamas terrorists killed during advance in Khan Yunis

In its latest advance in the southern Gaza Strip, Israel's army says it has killed dozens of Hamas terrorists. Since the beginning of the operation in the city of Chan Junis on Monday, the army has been taking action against the Islamists above and below ground, the army announced. The armed men were killed in clashes with the soldiers, by tank fire and air strikes. The information could not be independently verified.

On Monday, the Israeli army called on residents in the eastern part of the city to leave the area immediately. Intelligence had revealed that Hamas was carrying out rocket attacks on Israel from there and was infiltrating again in order to use parts of the area for its activities. The army would take decisive action against this, it announced on social media.

In the past, the Israeli military had been active against Hamas combat units in Khan Yunis on several occasions and over longer periods of time, but had subsequently withdrawn to fixed positions outside the city.

According to Palestinian reports, civilians are also caught between the fronts in the new advance by the Israeli armed forces. At least 71 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed at the beginning of the operation on Monday and a further 200 were injured, reported the Palestinian news agency Wafa, citing hospital staff. According to eyewitnesses, thousands of civilians fled and left Chan Junis.