ALBAWABA - Today, Hamas' Qassam Brigades reported hitting five Israeli military vehicles near Rafah. Israeli soldiers have expanded their ground attack in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, fighting Palestinian resistance groups.
Qassam Brigades fighters damaged three Merkava tanks, an armored personnel carrier, and a military bulldozer near Tel al-Sultan, western Rafah, with Yasin 105 rounds, according to Telegram.
These Rafah assaults follow Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's order to expand military operations in Khan Younis and Rafah. To force Hamas to accept a fresh U.S. prisoner swap accord.
Eyewitnesses told Reuters that Israeli soldiers moving into northern Khan Younis reached the coastal highway today, cutting the city's access to the north.
Al-Aqsa TV reports that Palestinian resistance fighters are fighting Israeli military advances in Hamad City, northwest of Khan Younis.
Separately, witnesses told Reuters that Israeli soldiers advancing into Khan Younis' north had reached the coastal highway today, therefore cutting off the city's access to the north.
The noises that the witnesses described were consistent with fierce gunfire between Israeli soldiers and the opposition.
Palestinian resistance fighters are reportedly fighting fiercely, especially in the vicinity of Hamad City, northwest of Khan Younis, where they are battling Israeli military advances, according to Al-Aqsa TV.
The Khan Younis governorate has seen widespread and violent conflicts, according to Israeli and Palestinian media sources.
Though specifics are still lacking, Israeli media reports stated that Israeli forces in Khan Younis came upon a "challenging situation" early today.
After violent skirmishes, footage of an Israeli chopper carrying wounded troops from Hamad City was broadcast by Palestinian media.
A massive Israeli artillery bombardment on Hamad City and the neighboring regions in northwest Khan Younis coincided with the fighting.
The Israeli force has lost personnel in recent days fighting Palestinian resistance in a number of areas, including the center and southern Gaza Strip and Gaza City's southern districts.
Tens of thousands of civilians have fled as the Israeli army sent out evacuation advisories to residents in several parts of Khan Younis, indicating the start of military operations.
Further military developments: Israeli personnel and vehicles stationed near the University College in the Tel al-Hawa district of southern Gaza City were reportedly shelled by the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades and the Ansar Brigades.
