Israel’s military bombarded southern Gaza’s main city in what it said was the heaviest fighting since Oct 7, Reuters reports.

Israel said its forces, backed by war planes, were engaged in fierce battles in Gaza, a day after the military reached the heart of Khan Younis and also surrounded the city.

Hamas’ armed wing, the al Qassam Brigades, said its fighters engaged in clashes with the military, which reported it had struck hundreds of targets in the enclave.

It said it killed or wounded eight Israeli troops and destroyed 24 military vehicles on Tuesday. An Israeli military website listed two troop deaths for yesterday and 83 since the ground operation began.