Israeli forces have surrounded Gaza City just weeks after Benjamin Netanyahu told troops to launch airstrikes and a ground invasion to crush Hamas.

Around 130 Hamas terrorists were killed during Thursday afternoon’s skirmishes alone, the IDF has said.

However, 19 Israeli soldiers have been killed since troops crossed into the Strip a week ago.

In an update, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi said: “We have advanced another significant stage in the war.

“The forces are in the heart of northern Gaza, operating in Gaza City, surrounding it, and deepening the offensive and its achievements.”

Netanyahu welcomed the IDF’s advancement as “very impressive”, adding it had reached “beyond the outskirts of the city”.

The Israeli Prime Minister reiterated Gazan civilians should move south amid growing concerns about the death toll inflicted by weeks of airstrikes.

Responding to growing calls for a ceasefire, Netanyahu added: “We will not stop our operations to take out Hamas terrorists.

“We will move forward, and we will win.”

Despite the advancement, Israeli leaders expect the war to continue to months.