The Israeli army announced on Thursday morning that Israeli ground forces carried out a relatively large incursion into the Gaza Strip during Wednesday night.

The Israeli army published a statement with a video clip in which it said: “In preparation for the next combat phases, the Israeli army operated in northern Gaza.”

He continued: "Israeli Defense Forces tanks and infantry struck many Hamas positions, infrastructure, and anti-tank missile launch sites" in the Strip.

The army added: “Since then, the soldiers have left the area and returned to Israeli territory.”

Army Radio said, "The Israeli ground incursion aims to attack Hamas positions."

Israel has spoken more than once about the possibility of launching a ground attack on Gaza, and has mobilized its forces on its border with the besieged Strip.

Gaza is subjected to violent Israeli air attacks, which have killed thousands, and are believed to be a prelude to a ground attack.