Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Israel's military offensive to take over Gaza City got underway on Thursday, sending thousands of Palestinians fleeing from parts of the city of 1 million, according to local officials.
The Israel Defense Forces embarked on the operation after advance troops were able to capture outer areas of the city under the cover of unrelenting airborne attack from airstrikes and artillery fire.
Residents of the Zeitoun and Sabra neighbourhoods were on the move to areas in the city's northwest.
The overnight escalation came after the military said Wednesday that Israel would "intensify the strikes on Hamas in Gaza City, the political and military stronghold of the terror organization."
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