Israeli forces expanding ground activity in Gaza: Army

JERUSALEM

The Israeli army announced Friday that its ground forces would expand its activities in the Gaza Strip during the night.

"The ground forces are expanding their activity tonight," spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a press conference.

Hagari also noted that Israeli troops on the country's northern border with Lebanon were on "high alert."

The statement comes amid hours of intensified strikes by the Israeli Air Force on the Gaza Strip.

* Writing by Ikram Kouachi