JERUSALEM

The Israeli army announced on Sunday that it is intensifying its air attacks on the Gaza Strip in “preparation for the next stage of war.”

“We will deepen our attacks to minimize the dangers to our forces in the next stages of the war,” Daniel Hagari, the army spokesman, said at a news conference, referring to an expected ground invasion.

Hagari said Israel will “go to the next phase under the best conditions” for the Israeli army and “in accordance with the decision of the political level.”

He renewed his call for the Palestinians in northern Gaza to head to the south.

“In the attacks during the night hours, we killed dozens of militants in Gaza City and its suburbs,” Hagari said, adding that “the deputy commander of the Hamas rocket launching system was killed,” without disclosing his identity.

The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

At least 4,385 Palestinians, including 1,756 children and 1,000 women have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.

On Saturday, a humanitarian aid convoy began entering the Gaza Strip from Egypt. It was the first aid delivery to Gaza since armed conflict broke out between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.

Gaza is experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis, with no electricity, while water, food, fuel, and medical supplies are running out.

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi