Oct. 27 (UPI) — Following a thunderous barrage of bombs, artillery and tank fire into Gaza Friday afternoon, Israel’s defense forces said they have intensified air strikes and will expand ground operations Friday night.
Israel Defense Forces spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said, “In the last few hours, we have severely increased our attacks in Gaza.”
He also said Israel’s air force was striking underground targets ‘very significantly’.
Friday’s IDF statement comes after a series of powerful explosions hit Gaza City earlier in the day. The increased tempo in IDF attacks follows its series of infantry and tank raids into Gaza over the last two days.
Hagari repeated the call for Palestinians to evacuate to Gaza’s south.
“We are prepared to defend in all arenas. We are acting in order to protect the security interests of the State of Israel,” he said.
Gaza residents told CNN the airstrikes that hit Friday night local time in Gaza were the most intense since the beginning of the Israel-Gaza war nearly three weeks ago.
Rockets also were fired from the Gaza strip into Israel on Friday.
Israeli forces said Thursday air strikes killed Shadi Barud, Hamas’ deputy chief of intelligence. Israel said Barud planned the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,400 people.
The IDF and Israel Security Authority said three other Hamas military leaders also were killed by intelligence-led fighter jet strikes.
