Hamas says inflicted heavy casualties on “Israeli” soldiers in north Gaza

Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas,said today its fighters are engaged in combat with “Israeli” forces across northern Gaza.

The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) issued yesterday evacuation orders for parts of central Gaza as it started an expanded ground operation in the area – the first one in Gaza in several weeks.

As battles rage on, Al-Qassam said they detonated what it called a “high-explosive device” targeting an “Israeli” Merkava-4 tank. Several soldiers were near the tank – per the statement.

The “Israeli” unit sent to evacuate was then targeted with anti-personnel shells as it attempted to recover the killed and injured soldiers east of Jabalia camp in northern Gaza.

An “Israeli” soldier was also killed by a sniper on Al-Banat Street, east of Beit Hanoun, in northern Gaza.