TEL AVIV, November 1. /TASS/. Israeli troops have broken through the defense lines of the radical Palestinian group Hamas in the northern Gaza Strip, Israel Defense Forces Spokesman Daniel Hagari said.

"The ground operation is progressing as planned. Our forces are in the northern part of the Gaza Strip. Thanks to intelligence data and joint attacks from the land, air and sea, our forces broke through Hamas’ front lines of defense in the north of the Gaza Strip," he said at a news conference.