Israeli military says its ground forces raided sites in Gaza overnight, then withdrew

Israel's military said that its ground forces operated within northern Gaza in the early hours of Thursday, attacking multiple Hamas targets before withdrawing.

The military posted online that the incursion was carried out "in preparation for the next stages of combat", likely referring to the looming large-scale ground invasion that Israeli leaders have threatened. Israel's Army Radio described the overnight raid as the largest it has conducted since 7 October.

"The soldiers have since exited the area and returned to Israeli territory," the military statement said.

Hamas did not immediately comment on the statement.