TEL AVIV, October 27. /TASS/. Israel’s ground forces are expanding operations in the Gaza Strip, Spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Daniel Hagari said on Friday.

"We have stepped up attacks on the Gaza Strip. Our Air Forces are attacking underground targets and facilities of the terrorist structure. In addition to the attacks on the Gaza Strip, our ground forces are expanding their operation these hours to achieve the goals of this war," he told a briefing.

According to Hagari, earlier in the day, the IDF revealed intelligence data indicating that the Palestinian radical movement Hamas is using the Al-Shifa hospital in the Gaza Strip for its purposes. "We told the world about it and will continue to do so. We continue delivering strikes on the city of Gaza and its environs and are calling on the city residents to evacuate to the southern parts of the Gaza Strip," he said.

Tensions flared up in the Middle East after Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip attacked Israeli territory. Hamas views its attack as a response to Israeli authorities’ steps against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and launched bombardments of the enclave and some areas in Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also reported in the West Bank.