The operation has left four Israeli soldiers killed, the source said. In a separate attack on the enemy forces in the Strip, one more Israeli was killed. Israel’s imposed war on Gaza has killed over 59,730 Palestinians and wounded more than 144,470.

The two soldiers, aged 20 and 22, served in the Golani Infantry Brigade’s 51st Battalion. Israeli military sources said they were killed when their armoured vehicle exploded in the city of Khan Yunis.

Israeli forces killed at least 27 people in attacks in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, including three people who died in a strike on a church that late Pope Francis used to speak to regularly, medics and church officials said.