Israeli troops close in on militants in eastern section of Gaza City; kill Hamas leader in Lebanon

April 4 (UPI) -- Israel said Friday it intensified ground operations in northern Gaza as part of a mission to enlarge so-called "security zones" that provide a protective buffer along the border dividing the Palestinian enclave from Israeli territory.

Israel Defense Forces said its troops had killed a number of "terror operatives," including a Hamas Nukhba force commander in a drone strike, and taken out a Hamas command center and other infrastructure -- but stressed that it was ensuring civilians were able to evacuate to safer areas.

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