By Mustafa Deveci
SDEROT, Israel (AA) - The Israeli army on Saturday said it hit 150 "underground targets" in the north of the blockaded Gaza Strip throughout the night, as it expanded operations in the territory.
In a statement, it said members of Hamas were eliminated, while "combat tunnels, underground combat spaces and other terrorist infrastructure" was destroyed.
The Israeli army on Friday widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the surprise offensive by Hamas on Oct. 7. International aid agencies said they lost contact with staff in Gaza after Israel knocked out internet and communications.
The conflict escalated dramatically after the unprecedented attack involving rockets and sending hundreds of fighters into Israeli towns.
Israel responded with an uninterrupted campaign of air and artillery strikes on the Gaza Strip, and is now preparing for a ground offensive.
More than 8,700 people have since been killed in the conflict, including at least 7,326 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.
Gaza's 2.3 million residents are grappling with shortages of food, water, and medicine due to Israel’s massive air bombardment and total blockade of the enclave.
UN General Assembly late Friday approved a resolution calling for a humanitarian truce, but Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen called it “despicable” and rejected it.
*Writing by Ikram Kouachi