JERUSALEM

The Israeli army announced on Thursday that it had carried out a “targeted raid” in the northern Gaza Strip overnight with tanks.

In a press release, the army stated: “Led by the Givati Brigade, the military forces conducted a targeted raid with tanks overnight in the northern Gaza Strip, as part of preparation for the next stages of combat.”

During the raid, the army mentioned that the soldiers struck fighters, militant infrastructure, and anti-tank missile launching positions and patrolled the area. However, no further details were provided.

The soldiers exited the area at the end of the operation, the army said.

The Israeli military had previously announced at least three similar operations since the beginning of the conflict.

The conflict in Gaza began when the Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack on Oct. 7 that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air.

Hamas said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched a relentless bombardment of Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

More than 7,900 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 6,546 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.

Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been running out of food, water, medicine, and fuel, and aid convoys allowed into Gaza have carried only a fraction of what is needed.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala in Istanbul