Israel steps up air and ground attacks in Gaza, cuts off internet, mobile services in territory amid war with Hamas

Israel Says Ground , Invasion of Gaza Imminent , Amid Reports of Explosions. On October 27, large explosions were reported in Gaza as Israel appeared poised to launch a ground invasion of the besieged Palestinian territory. Fox News reporter Trey Yingst said that loud blasts were observed not far from the border between Gaza and southern Israel. According to Yingst, the Gaza Strip was being targeted by the heaviest concentration of Israeli bombardment since the war began on October 17. Fox News reports that Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were conducting a series of strikes on targets in the northern part of Gaza. Fox News reports that Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were conducting a series of strikes on targets in the northern part of Gaza. Strikes were reportedly carried out by land and sea, targeting tunnel infrastructure underneath the Gaza Strip, as well as Hamas' naval compound. IDF soldiers of Flotilla 13 conducted a targeted raid from the sea in the southern Gaza Strip. During the activity, the soldiers struck Hamas military infrastructure and operated in a compound used by Hamas' commando naval forces. , IDF statement, via Fox News. IDF soldiers of Flotilla 13 conducted a targeted raid from the sea in the southern Gaza Strip. During the activity, the soldiers struck Hamas military infrastructure and operated in a compound used by Hamas' commando naval forces. , IDF statement, via Fox News. On October 27, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told reporters that it was only a matter of time before the military would launch a ground operation into Gaza. On October 27, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told reporters that it was only a matter of time before the military would launch a ground operation into Gaza. Fox News reports that the IDF claimed to have killed a high-ranking Hamas commander in another overnight airstrike in Gaza. . The military said that Madhat Mubasher, the commander of Hamas' West Khan Younis Battalion, , "took part in sniper attacks and was responsible for large explosive devices [used] against IDF forces and Israeli towns." . The news comes as Hamas' assault on Israeli population centers continues, with news of a rocket striking a residential building in Tel Aviv

Israeli forces launched ground operations against Hamas in Gaza, entering the second phase of a three-week-old war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu...