Israeli tanks have captured the main road dividing the eastern and western halves of Rafah, effectively encircling the entire eastern side of the city in the southern Gaza Strip, Reuters reports.

Residents described almost constant explosions and gunfire east and northeast of the city, with intense fighting between Israeli forces and members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Hamas said it ambushed Israeli tanks near a mosque in the east of the city, a sign the Israelis had penetrated several kilometres from the east to the outskirts of the built-up area.

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