Smoke rises following Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. AP
"Israeli soldiers have completed the encirclement of the city of Gaza," military spokesman Daniel Hagari told journalists, referring to the civilian-packed city as the centre of Hamas's operations.
Israeli forces have engaged in fierce ground battles inside the Palestinian territory since Friday evening even as calls grow for Israel to stop its blistering air and ground assault.
"The concept of a ceasefire is not currently on the table at all," Hagari said.
The Israeli military's ground invasion of Gaza faces mounting challenges and difficulties as the war shows no signs of relenting, stretching into 28 consecutive days. The Palestinian death toll continues to climb without respite, fueling a surge in international outrage against what is widely perceived as Israel's attacks that amount to crimes.
The Palestinian death toll on Thursday climbed to 9,061, including 3,760 children as well as 2,326 women, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Another 32,000 people have been injured.
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