Israeli planes and tanks pounded the eastern and northern outskirts of Gaza City overnight Saturday and into Sunday, destroying buildings and homes, residents said, as the IDF increased its troop presence in northern Gaza as part of an offensive aimed at bolstering the army’s control in the area.

Witnesses reported the sound of nonstop explosions overnight in the areas of Zeitoun and Shejaia, while tanks shelled houses and roads in the nearby Sabra neighborhood and several buildings were blown up in the northern town of Jabalia.

The IDF said Sunday that troops of the 401st Armored Brigade returned to Jabalia in recent days, joining the Givati Infantry Brigade, which has been operating the area — just north of Gaza City — for the past week.

The military said the forces, led by the 162nd Division, are working to dismantle Hamas capabilities in the area, including by destroying tunnels, “eliminating terrorists, and strengthening operational control over the area.”

“The troops’ activity enables the expansion of the fighting to additional areas and prevents Hamas terrorists from returning and operating in these areas,” the IDF said.

The IDF has said it is operating on the outskirts of Gaza City ahead of a major offensive that would see it capture the entire city.

Tens of thousands of reservists are due to show up for duty on September 2 for the offensive, which is likely to begin in the following weeks.

While fleeing westward from Jabaliya, schoolteacher Salim Dhaher said he saw weaponized robots planting explosives as troops advanced from the opposite direction. As they set the stage for Israel’s push to seize the city, Dhaher said he feared it was........

© The Times of Israel