Israel has launched a new round of repeated ground attacks on Gaza amid its war with Iran, reports Al Jazeera correspondent Tareq Abu Azzoum in the enclave’s Deir el-Balah area.

Much of the fighting has been concentrated in the northern part of Gaza where Israeli ground operations are intensifying in all towns near Israel, Azzoum says, adding they are witnessing a new round of escalation.

“It has become clear that Israel’s strategy in this part of Gaza is aimed at destroying what remains of residential buildings and pushing civilians further towards the western edge of Gaza City.

“It is increasingly obvious to everyone these attacks are no longer about the defeat of Hamas, but rather inflicting further destruction on the already-battered Gaza Strip,” he added.