Eyewitnesses: Dozens of Israeli tanks entered the southern part of the Gaza Strip

The Israeli military is expected to launch ground operations in the area soon.

Armored personnel carriers and bulldozers were also seen. Amin Abu Hola, 59, said he saw Israeli vehicles in the village of al-Karara near Khan Yunis, in Palestinian territory about two kilometers from the border, while Moaz Mohammed, 34, said Israeli tanks were stationed on the southern side of Salaheddin Road, which runs from the north of the enclave. to the south, in part.

At the time, the Israeli military said on Monday that three more soldiers had been killed in fighting in the Gaza Strip. All three were in the northern part of the enclave on Sunday, the army added.

Israel has lost a total of 75 soldiers in the Gaza Strip since the start of the war.

Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas in retaliation for the militant attacks on October 7, which Israeli authorities say killed about 1,200 people. people, mostly civilians.

Hamas also took about 240 hostages, including young children and the elderly.

The group-run Gaza Health Ministry claims that more than 15,500 people have been killed in the territory since October 7. of persons, more than half of them are women and children.

During the week-long ceasefire that ended on Friday, 80 hostages were released in exchange for 240 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. More than two dozen other prisoners were also released from the Gaza Strip.

Fighting between the two sides resumed on Friday, despite international calls for an extension of the ceasefire.