Israel expands ‘security zone’ in northern Gaza

Israeli troops moved into an area of northern Gaza taking control of more territory around the edge of the enclave, the military said on Friday, days after the government announced plans to seize large areas with an operation in the south.

Soldiers carrying out the operation in Shejaia, a suburb east of Gaza City in the north, were letting civilians out via organised routes, as troops moved in to expand the area defined by Israel as a security zone in Gaza, a statement said.

Israel has not fully explained its long-term aim for the areas it is now seizing as a security zone, extending an existing buffer area along the edge of the enclave hundreds of metres into the Gaza Strip.

Israel also killed a commander of Hamas in an airstrike on southern Lebanon on Friday, further testing a ceasefire that the war between Tel Aviv and Hezbollah.

Gaza health authorities said at least 30 Palestinians were killed, most in southern areas of Gaza. Among the dead were 19 members of one family killed when a strike demolished the three storey building where they were staying.