Israel begins military incursion: reports of intense army activity

Jordan's Vice Premier and Foreign Affairs Minister, Ayman Safadi, stated on Friday night that Israel has commenced a ground incursion into the Gaza Strip. Increasing reports of Israeli military movement and intense bombardment in the Gaza Strip are circulating, though the Israeli army denies the occurrence of a formal ground invasion.

"Israel has initiated a land conflict in the Gaza Strip. The outcome could be a long-lasting humanitarian crisis of epic proportions," Ayman Safadi warned via social media on Friday night.

National Security Council Spokesperson at the White House, John Kirby, announced that the US administration acknowledges the reports of an on-ground operation by Israeli forces, but will not provide comments at this time.

Earlier, a spokesperson for Israel's Defense Forces confirmed that military airstrikes in the Gaza Strip have indeed been escalated in recent hours. "The Air Force is aggressively targeting underground sites," revealed Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari. "The ground forces' actions will scale up tonight," he added.

In addition, Daniel Hagari announced that the IDF would continue strikes against the northern part of the Gaza Strip and reiterated his plea for Palestinians to migrate to the southern enclave. "Our actions aim to secure the state of Israel's interest,” he expounded.

Social media platforms are hosting videos that display light flares over the Gaza Strip.

News reports suggest heavy artillery bombardment in the northern areas of the Gaza Strip, specifically around Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia.

Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst has reported severe Israeli airstrikes over Gaza. Concurrently, Israeli tanks were seen crossing the border, according to Yingst.

An i24NEWS English correspondent also details a major assault on the northern areas of the Gaza Strip.

Reports from Palestinians in Gaza suggest the presence of IDF ground forces, including tanks, in the enclave. There have also been reports of intense fire exchange between the soldiers and suspected militants.

According to Peter Lerner, a representative from the Israeli army, the extensive ground activities currently happening in the Gaza Strip do not constitute an official ground invasion.