An Israeli ground assault will mark a week since the war broke out last Saturday.
Israeli tanks are rolling towards the southern border with Gaza in an indication of an imminent ground assault in the coastal enclave. The build-up comes after a million residents of Gaza City were given 24 hours to evacuate towards their south, indicating that the troops may enter from Gaza's north.
Gaza shares its boundary with Egypt in the south, which remains blocked, and with Israel in the north and east.
Several tanks and armoured vehicles are stationed near the border fence that separates the Gaza city from Israel, witnessed a NDTV crew while reporting from the battlefront this morning.
These include Namer Infantry Fighting Vehicles, the most heavily armoured infantry fighting vehicles in the world that are armed with a heavy machine gun, and Merkava IV tanks equipped with defence system that can destroy incoming anti-tank missiles.
The massive deployment comes as Israeli forces indicated the presence of Palestinian Hamas group's hideouts in underground tunnels and in buildings housing civilians in Gaza City.
Israel has vowed to destroy the military capabilities of Hamas so that they don't face any threat from them in the future.
An Israeli ground assault will mark a week since the war broke out last Saturday with Hamas launching a fierce rocket attack with hundreds of its operatives unleashing terror in Israeli border towns. Israel responded with airstrikes in Gaza, bombing out what they claimed were Hamas hideouts.
However, the densely populated Gaza Strip dotted with building and narrow streets will pose heavy challenges to the tanks and armoured vehicles. The debris of bombed out building will also make it difficult for them to navigate through the Gaza City. Besides, several hostages are also being held in Gaza.
Israel Orders Gaza Evacuation
Israeli military said the evacuation order was for the personal safety of the civilians. They said their forces will begin operations there in the coming days since Hamas operatives are hiding in the city's underground tunnels.
Hamas has rejected the evacuate order.
The United Nations, which has already moved its operation to the south, has warned of "devastating" outcome if over a million residents of Gaza City had to undertake such a large-scale movement.
"Residents of Gaza, move south for your personal safety and your families. Distance yourself from the Hamas terrorists who use you as human shield. IDF will continue to operate significantly in Gaza City in the coming days, and wishes to avoid harming civilians," the Israeli Defence Force said.
The military spokesperson said the civilians are not their enemy and they don't intend to target them.
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