Israel’s military says it has captured a key Hamas stronghold after 10 hours of fighting, including in the terror group’s underground tunnel network.

Troops seized control of a Hamas bunker, known as outpost 17, in west Jabaliya where after battling with Hamas and Islamic Jihad gunmen “above ground and in an underground route”,  the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.

The statement came as Israeli air strikes continue to pound nearby Gaza City, where IDF troops are battling street-by-street with Hamas terrorists.

On Wednesday, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that his forces were “tightening the stranglehold” around the city, in the enclave’s north.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians have fled their homes to head southwards amid the fighting in the besieged territory.

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