Israel’s military said it had struck over 600 militant targets in Gaza as it sent more troops into the strip to join a ground offensive.

“IDF troops killed dozens of terrorists who barricaded themselves in buildings and tunnels, and attempted to attack the troops,” the military said in a statement.

Israeli air strikes hit areas near Gaza’s Al-Shifa and Al-Quds hospitals, with Palestinians in Gaza reporting fierce air and artillery strikes early on Monday.

Israeli troops clashed with Hamas for the first time since the ground offensive began in an ambush from its network of tunnels in northern Gaza.

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