India, Sept. 16 -- Israeli troops are moving deeper towards the centre of Gaza City, after the country's military launched a ground offensive on the destroyed Palestinian urban hub overnight on Tuesday, an official told journalists. The official said that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had "transitioned into the next phase", adding that this was the "main phase of the plan for Gaza City."

"IDF (military) southern command forces have expanded ground activity into Hamas's main stronghold in Gaza, which is Gaza City," he said.

"We are moving towards the centre" of the Gaza City, AFP quoted the military official as saying. He replied in the affirmative when asked whether the ground troops had moved deeper into the central Gaza City.

An of...