Israel sends tanks to Gaza border, settlements near fence evacuated

Israel is moving tanks towards the border with Gaza Strip as it, reportedly, prepares for a ground operation on the Palestinian exclave.

NOW: Dozens of Israeli tanks headed toward the Gaza border pic.twitter.com/Qtz9fh25jq

— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) October 8, 2023

Reporting from southern Israel pic.twitter.com/VRNqdCrSYx

— Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) October 8, 2023

Fighting between Hamas militants and Israeli security forces continues in southern Israel. Israeli military has claimed to have killed ‘hundreds’ of militants and captured dozens. Hamas militants launched a multi-pronged incursion into southern Israel on Saturday, killing over 300 and leaving around 1800 others injured.

Israel is preparing for a potential invasion of Gaza, where the Hamas operates from.

The Israeli army was evaluating the settlements of Urim, Bari, Nahal Oz, Nativ Hatara and Zikim near the Gaza Border.

“As a result of the operational assessment of the situation, the residents were asked to evacuate their homes,” the army said on X.

דובר צה״ל מדגיש כי בשלב זה מפונים יישובים צמודי גדר (אורים, בארי, נחל עוז, נתיב העשרה, זיקים) ובהתאם להערכת המצב המבצעית התבקשו התושבים להתפנות מבתיהם. המשך הפינויים ייעשו בהתאם להערכת המצב

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) October 8, 2023

Earlier the army said that all residents living in towns near the borde fence would be evacuated within 24 hours.