Gaza War Map Shows How Israel Is Cutting Territory in Two

Israel's tanks and troops are pressing towards Gaza City amid fierce resistance from Hamas militants as a map released Thursday shows how the Palestinian territory in being cut in two by Israel's forces.

Israel has told people to leave the north of the strip following its pledge to destroy the militant group, which staged an attack on October 7 that killed 1,400 people and took over 200 hostages.

The Associated Press reported that Gaza health authorities said on Thursday more than 9,000 people had been killed in Israel's bombardment of the strip.

Israeli military commander Brigadier General Itzik Cohen said troops were "at the gates of Gaza City" as Israel reiterated it was targeting Hamas infrastructure, including tunnels and rocket launchers.

A graphic posted by the X (formerly Twitter) account of War Mapper showed in blue the extent of Israeli advances north of Wadi Gaza, which divides the Palestinian strip in two. It showed Israeli troops closing in on the coast, south of Gaza City.

"They are less than 800 metres [0.5 miles] away from cutting Gaza in two," the post said said next to the graphic which also showed Israeli troops' progress along the coast to the north as well as advances within Beit Hanoun, in the northeast of the strip.

Israeli troops had also "expanded in some areas in the south of Gaza, along the border fence," the post added.

The Associated Press reported that Israeli troops look to be advancing on Gaza City from the northeast, from the northwest along the Mediterranean coast, and from the south after reaching the territory's main north-south highway. Israeli officials have not given clear details about troop movements.

Fighters from Hamas and its ally Islamic Jihad fired at Israeli tanks after emerging from tunnels according to Reuters, citing residents and videos from both groups, as a guerrilla-style operation gathered pace.

There were reports of mortar fire around Gaza City and Israeli tanks and bulldozers drove over rubble and knocking down structures rather than using regular roads, according to Reuters.

The agency also said there was Israeli tank shelling in the south of Gaza near the town of Khan Younis, which killed three, and an air strike outside a UN school in Beach refugee camp that killed five.

Meanwhile, U.S. and Arab mediators have tried to step up efforts to ease Israel's siege and called for at least a brief halt to the hostilities in order to aid civilians.

President Joe Biden called for a humanitarian "pause" and Palestinians with foreign passports and dozens of wounded left the strip on Thursday under a deal among the U.S., Egypt, Israel and Qatar, which mediates with Hamas.

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