From the Liveblog of
Thursday, March 20, 2025
IDF says troops deployed along northern Gaza coast
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
The Israeli military says it launched ground operations along the coast of the far north of the Gaza Strip, close to Beit Lahiya, early this morning.
Over the past few hours, troops of the 252nd Division pushed into the coastal road area, and are currently deployed there, the army says. Two tank battalions of the 188th Armored Brigade are leading the operation.
Ahead of the offensive, the IDF says it carried out airstrikes on some 40 targets in the Beit Lahiya area, including tunnels, anti-tank missile launch posts, Hamas operatives and other threats to troops.
Additionally, the IDF says it carried out strikes on dozens of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad targets in Gaza overnight.
Fighter jets and other Israeli Air Force aircraft hit terror operatives, buildings used by the terror groups, weapons and other infrastructure that posed a threat to Israel, the military and Shin Bet say in a joint statement.
The IDF adds that it is currently continuing strikes across Gaza.
There have not been any reports of actual clashes since Israel resumed military action in Gaza on Tuesday.
The Times of Israel Community.