TEL AVIV, November 18. /TASS/. Within the recently launched second stage of Israel’s ground operation in the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has advanced into the enclave’s eastern area, hitting hard the militias affiliated with the radical Palestinian organization Hamas, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said.

"In recent days, we have gone on to the second stage of maneuvers in the Gaza Strip. The IDF is staying in the western area, but now they are also advancing in the east, and these results are quite evident. Hamas has suffered heavy blows, they are losing command centers, tunnels, bunkers, their commanders at all levels have been hit, and hundreds and thousands of terrorists have been killed in recent days and weeks," he said during a press conference.