The Israeli army has announced it had launched a new ground offensive east of Gaza City to expand the security zone it has established inside the Palestinian territory, AFP reports.

“Over the past few hours … troops have begun conducting ground activity in the area of Shujaiya in northern Gaza, in order to expand the security zone,” the military said in a statement.

“The troops eliminated numerous terrorists and dismantled Hamas terrorist infrastructure, including a command and control centre that served Hamas terrorists to plan and execute terror attacks,” the statement added.

“During and prior to the activity … troops are allowing the evacuation of civilians from the combat zone via organised routes for their safety.”