TEL AVIV: As the Israel-Hamas war enters its ninth day, an Israeli army spokesman has told residents of northern Gaza not to delay in leaving the area. The Israeli military has warned that it is preparing to attack Gaza by air, sea and land.

In a video released yesterday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, he could be heard telling soldiers that the next step was coming. Netanyahu's announcement was made while visiting an Israeli military camp in the Gaza Strip. He also asked the soldiers if they were ready for the next step. Netanyahu arrived in Gaza as Israel was preparing for a ground attack against Hamas.

At the same time, despite announcing that they were preparing to attack Gaza by land, the Israeli forces have not yet begun the move. International media reports that the Israeli forces are delaying the attack due to cloudy weather. This is because pilots and drone operators will not be able to provide cover to the army.

Israel's military earlier warned people to leave northern Gaza within 24 hours as it stepped up its fight against Hamas. Meanwhile, 2,269 Palestinians were killed and 9,814 were injured in Israeli attacks in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said on Saturday.