The Israeli defense writes on Twitter that they are attacking Gaza with both air and ground forces.
It is part of the ongoing operation against Hamas, writes AFP.
AFP also reports that Israeli forces are on their way into the Gaza Strip.
Army spokesman Jonathan Conricus confirmed to AFP that Israeli troops had entered the Gaza Strip.
It is unclear whether Israeli soldiers have entered the Gaza Strip yet.
The news agency AP writes that it is a possible ground invasion, while the Times of Israel shortly before midnight, wrote that it is not about a ground invasion yet.
– The operation will continue as long as needed
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that Israel will continue with the operation as long as necessary, writes The Times of Israel.
– I have said that we will demand a very high price for Hamas, and we will continue with great strength. The last word has not been said, and this operation will continue as long as it is needed, Netanyahu said in a statement.
The Prime Minister says that Israel is dealing with a two-part struggle, the fighting in Gaza and the Jewish-Arab conflicts in the country.
He promises to restore law and order, and urges Israelis not to take the law into their own hands.
Earlier Thursday night, Israeli tanks fired artillery shells into the Gaza Strip.
The Security Council will meet
Times of Israel also writes that media associated with Hamas say that more than 150 Israeli airstrikes have taken place in the last minutes over the northern Gaza Strip.
NTB writes that Israel stepped up its attacks on the Gaza Strip on Thursday. Israeli fighter jets then continued bombing.
The international community is working hard to reduce the violence between Israel and Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip.
According to AFP, the UN Security Council will meet in the Middle East on Sunday.
The meeting was requested by Tunisia, Norway and China, and was actually scheduled for Friday.
The US blocked the meeting from being held on Friday, but has agreed to move it to Sunday, according to AFP.
The UN has previously warned against that it is heading for full war between Israel and militant Palestinians.
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