Israel declines to confirm tanks blocked road from north to south Gaza

(Patria) - The Israeli army refused to say exactly where its forces are in Gaza - after reports in the last hour that Israeli tanks are on the outskirts of Gaza City and have blocked a key road leading from north to south, the BBC reports.

When asked by journalists about the reports, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said he would not provide details, saying "the security of our forces remains our top priority".

"We have expanded our operations, including armored, infantry, and offensive actions within the Gaza Strip," he said.

Hagari also spoke about the latest information on the operation in general - saying that they have sent additional units to Gaza "including infantry, tanks, engineering units, and artillery forces" to carry out ground and air attacks.

The BBC reports that people have been sending videos and photos of Israeli tanks and bulldozers blocking the Salah-al-Din road.

Access to and from Gaza City and the northern part of Gaza on that road appears to have been cut off.

I spoke with a photographer who was filming an airstrike in the area and he said: "Suddenly I looked around and saw Israeli tanks".

He took a few pictures and then fled.