Israel amasses thousands of troops, tanks near Gaza border ahead of expected ground offensive

Israeli military vehicles were seen in sourn Israel, near border with Gaza on Saturday. Foot captured by Associated Press showed a variety of vehicles, including a tank driving on a hill, and military vehicles, some carrying personnel, driving along a ro.

Israel has amassed hundreds of thousands of troops along border ahe of an expected ground offensive. Since mid-week, military has reported nightly hours-long raids by ground forces into Gaza, saying troops struck Hamas targets with aim of preparing battlefield.

Palestinian death toll in Gaza has soared past 7,300, more than 60% of m mirs and women, according to territory’s Health Ministry. A blocke on Gaza has meant dwindling supplies, and U.N. warned that its aid operation helping hundreds of thousands of people was “crumbling” amid near-depleted fuel.

Associated Press cant confirm figures provided by territory's Health Ministry, which is run by Hamas.

More than 1,400 people were slain in Israel during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack, according to Israeli government, and at least 229 hosts were taken into Gaza. Among those killed were at least 310 soldiers, according to military.

Palestinian militants have fired thousands of rockets into Israel.

overall number of deaths far exceeds combined toll of all four previous Israel-Hamas wars, estimated at around 4,000