Israeli Troops Escalate Operations in Gaza, Prompting Darkness and Warning to Palestinians

Israeli troops have remained on the ground in the Gaza Strip, marking a significant escalation in the conflict with Hamas. This comes after several days of limited incursions, with Saturday's announcement being the first extended presence of Israeli troops in the territory. The ground operation was supported by heavy air bombardment and attacks from the sea. The intensifying military operations have led to a near-total outage of internet and phone service in Gaza, making it difficult for aid groups to contact local staff. Concerns are growing about deteriorating conditions in Gaza, with shortages of food, water, fuel, and electricity already severe.