After an Israeli military spokesperson officially declared that the Gaza invasion has been launched, dozens of tanks and armored vehicles advanced towards Rafah and reached the Gaza International Airport in Rafah, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
Loud explosions were heard in the airport area as resistance fighters present in the area fired shells and detonated explosives. Exchange of fire was reported in the area.
Several constructions in the airport were shelled by tank and artillery fire while the army is slowly advancing in the area.
Meanwhile, the Rafah Hospital declared emergency and canceled the vacations of its staff. Dr. Ali Abu Mousa, head of Abu Yousef Al Najjar Hospital in Rafah said that the hospital called on the residents to be prepared for blood donations.
The Israeli army started dividing the Gaza Strip by blocking and shelling the main roads that links the different parts of the Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Television reported.
Also, troops shelled a bridge at the Salah Ed Deen Street in Gaza.
On Tuesday night, Israeli troops stationed at the Gaza borders were seen moving towards the Gaza Strip late on Tuesday at night shortly before two air strikes that targeted the main power-plant in Gaza. The army also fired missile at two bridges in the central Gaza Strip shortly before midnight Tuesday.
