Israeli tanks cut off key road in Gaza Strip

Israeli tanks reached the outskirts of Gaza City and cut off a key Palestinian road from north to south on the morning of 30 October. 

Source: The Times of Israel, citing military correspondent Emanuel Fabian and eyewitnesses; Bild journalist Julian Röpcke

Details: Eyewitnesses report that tanks were spotted in Zeitoun district.

Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian says that the video shows an Israel Defence Forces tank attacking a car on Salah al-Din Road near Gaza City.

Note: Salah al-Din Road is the main road route in the Gaza Strip, connecting the territory from the Rafah checkpoint in the south to the Erez checkpoint in the north. The road is named after a 12th-century Muslim general.

Updated: Journalist Julian Röpcke reports that the Israeli forces have penetrated 6 kilometres deep into the central part of the Gaza Strip and set up a checkpoint on the Salah al-Din road. The journalist added that Israel has effectively cut off Gaza City and the northern camps from the rest of the enclave.

Background: 

• The Israeli-Palestinian conflict escalated on 7 October when Hamas fired missiles at Israel.
• On 9 October, Israel reported that it had regained control of all areas on the border near the Gaza Strip. Israel is currently planning a ground offensive against Gaza that could last three months. The New York Times reported that Israel had to postpone the ground operation in the Gaza Strip.
• On 27 October, the Israeli military entered the Gaza Strip after intense artillery bombardment and missile fire from aircraft.

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