Jerusalem, March 24 (NationPress) The Israeli Armed Forces have announced that an armoured division previously stationed in Lebanon is now gearing up for ground missions in the Gaza Strip, indicating a potential escalation of its ongoing aerial and terrestrial offensive.

In a statement released on Sunday, the military revealed that the 36th Division has initiated preparations for operations in Gaza, following a thorough situational assessment.

Footage shared by the military depicted approximately two dozen armoured personnel carriers being positioned near the Gaza border, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

The statement confirmed that the 36th Division has concluded its operations in Lebanon.

This potential reinforcement coincided with Israel resuming airstrikes in Gaza on Tuesday after a ceasefire with Hamas, which began on January 19, fell apart.

Israeli forces subsequently initiated ground operations throughout southern, northern, and central Gaza.

On the same day, Israel's military and the Shin Bet domestic security agency jointly announced the elimination of Ahmad Salman 'Awj Shimali, deputy commander of Hamas' Gaza Brigade, responsible for operations, strategic planning, and force development prior to the October 7 attack.

Additionally, Jamil Omar Jamil Wadiya, commander of Hamas' Shuja'iyya Battalion, was also reported killed, marking the latest in a series of senior Hamas officials targeted by Israel.

The Israeli offensive on Gaza has reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 50,021 individuals and injuries to 113,274 others since the conflict reignited in early October 2023, according to updates from health authorities in Gaza.

Previously, Hezbollah stated that its fighters engaged in combat with an Israeli infantry unit attempting to penetrate the town of Odaisseh in southern Lebanon, marking the first direct confrontation between Hezbollah and Israeli forces since the commencement of the invasion.

The Lebanese organization claimed it inflicted casualties, forcing Israeli troops to withdraw.

Hezbollah and Israel have been embroiled in cross-border skirmishes since the onset of Israel's war on Gaza last October.

Israel asserts that the operation aims to enable approximately 60,000 displaced individuals to return to their homes in northern Israel following a year of escalating cross-border conflict.

In a show of solidarity with its Palestinian allies, Hezbollah commenced artillery fire on Israel a day after Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023, which triggered the current hostilities in Gaza and poses a risk of involving both Iran and the US.