Israeli defense minister says army has control of western Gaza City

The Israeli army has gained control of the western part of Gaza City, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said.

"The next phase has begun," Gallant said on Thursday. The defence minister did not specify what this phase of the Gaza war would look like. "The armed forces are proceeding with precision and determination."

Meanwhile, the army had made "significant finds" in the largest hospital in the Gaza Strip, Gallant continued. The operation in the al-Shifa hospital is ongoing, he said.