Israeli troops have been engaged in ground combat in the city of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, the army said as it expands operations in its conflict with Hamas, AFP reports.

“We are in the heart of Jabalia, in the heart of Shejaiya [in northern Gaza], and now also in the heart of Khan Younis,” Southern Command chief Major General Yaron Finkelman was quoted as saying in an army statement, describing “the most intense day since the beginning of the ground operation.”