IDF says it struck 50 terror sites in Gaza last night, ahead of major ground op in southern Strip

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

Overnight, the Israeli Air Force carried out strikes on over 50 sites belonging to Hamas and other terror groups, ahead of a major ground push into the southern Gaza Strip, the military says.

During the day, dozens more strikes were carried out across Gaza, according to the IDF.

The goal of the latest offensive in southern Gaza is to surround Rafah and establish the so-called Morag Corridor, located between Rafah and Khan Younis.

The area between Rafah and Khan Younis is one of the few locations in Gaza where ground troops have not yet operated.

The IDF issued evacuation warnings for Palestinians in the area, ahead of the offensive.

Meanwhile, in the Strip’s north, the IDF says it operating to expand its buffer zone along the border.

The military stresses that the ultimate goal of the new ground push in southern Gaza’s Rafah is to pressure Hamas to release the hostages, as IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said this evening.

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