Israeli ground forces have made raids into Gaza over the past 24 hours, the military says, ahead of an expected ground offensive on the densely populated Palestinian territory.
This is the first announcement of a shift from an air war to ground operations to root out Hamas fighters, a week after their deadly rampage in southern Israel.
"Over the past 24 hours, IDF [Israeli military] forces carried out localised raids inside the territory of the Gaza Strip to complete the effort to cleanse the area of terrorists and weaponry," an army statement said.
"During these operations, there was also an effort to locate missing persons."
The Hamas terrorists abducted an estimated 150 Israelis and foreigners.
The Israeli army said troops "collected evidence that would assist in the effort to locate hostages" during the raids into Gaza, without providing further details.
"Soldiers thwarted terrorist cells and infrastructure located in the area, including a Hamas cell that fired anti-tank missiles toward Israeli territory," the statement added.
Defence minister says Gaza war is existential for Israel
Israel is waging an all-out war on Hamas terrorists to effect permanent change and safeguard its future as a prosperous democracy, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has said.
Mr Gallant, during a press conference with US counterpart Lloyd Austin on Friday, described Hamas as part of an "axis of evil" with Iran.
Asked whether Tehran consented to the weekend Hamas onslaught from the Gaza Strip, Mr Gallant said: "It doesn't matter … (because) the idea is an Iranian idea."
As fighting raged into its seventh day, Mr Gallant said Palestinian civilians "who want to save their lives" must heed Israel's warning to evacuate southward in the enclave — amid US warnings that the humanitarian crisis there could spiral.
He declined to answer a reporter's question on whether Israel — which has signalled that a ground invasion could follow its current air barrage on Gaza — would stick to the 24-hour evacuation notice it issued on Friday.
The 24-hour deadline will end on Saturday at 8am AEDT.
"This is a war for the existence of Israel as a prosperous state, as a democratic state, as homeland of the Jewish people," Mr Gallant said.
"We are fighting for our home. We are fighting for our future.
"The path will be long, but ultimately I promise you we will win."
Israel tells Gaza residents to evacuate
Israel has called for more than 1 million people in Gaza City to evacuate southwards by midnight local time (Saturday, 8am AEDT), as it continues to carry out "military operations" in the area.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said it would operate "significantly" in Gaza City in the coming days and civilians should only return when advised.
More than 1,500 Palestinians have already been killed in retaliatory attacks by Israel after Hamas militants launched a terrorist attack last weekend, killing hundreds and taking hostages.
"Civilians of Gaza City, evacuate south for your own safety and the safety of your families and distance yourself from Hamas terrorists who are using you as human shields," the military said.
"Hamas terrorists are hiding in Gaza City inside tunnels underneath houses and inside buildings populated with innocent Gazan civilians."
Salama Marouf, head of the Hamas government media office, said the relocation warning was an attempt by Israel "to broadcast and pass on fake propaganda, aiming to sow confusion among citizens and harm our internal cohesion".
He added: "We urge our citizens not to engage in these attempts".
The United Nations Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) said it has relocated its central operations centre and international staff to Gaza's south to protect its staff and continue to offer humanitarian support to Palestinian refugees.
"We urge the Israeli authorities to protect all civilians in UNRWA shelters including schools," the agency said on social media platform X.
IDF spokesperson Lieutenant Jonathan Conricus said on X that the Israeli military did not want to target Gazan civilians.
He reiterated that Palestinians in Gaza should relocate south of the barricaded strip of land within the next 24 hours.
Salama Marouf, head of the Hamas government media office, said the relocation warning was an attempt by Israel "to broadcast and pass on fake propaganda, aiming to sow confusion among citizens and harm our internal cohesion".
He added: "We urge our citizens not to engage in these attempts".
The United Nations Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) said it has relocated its central operations centre and international staff to Gaza's south to protect its staff and continue to offer humanitarian support to Palestinian refugees.
"We urge the Israeli authorities to protect all civilians in UNRWA shelters including schools," the agency said on social media platform X.
IDF spokesperson Lieutenant Jonathan Conricus said on X that the Israeli military did not want to target Gazan civilians.
He reiterated that Palestinians in Gaza should relocate south of the barricaded strip of land within the next 24 hours.
"We understand that this will take time," he said.
"It's not an easy process. The aim of this evacuation is simply to save lives."
Story by ABC/wires
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