JUST IN: IDF Says Will ‘Expand’ Operations Inside Gaza Tonight As Large Explosions Seen Near Border

CNN’s Nic Robertson reported from the Israeli-Hamas war on Friday and noted that “The guns [are] doing the talking tonight,” as Israel’s bombing campaign over Gaza intensified during Shabbat evening on Friday.

Robertson’s report came as Axios’s Barak Ravid broke the news that the “IDF spokesman says Israeli military ground forces will expand operations inside the Gaza strip tonight.” The IDF said it was committed to returning the some 200 hundred hostages believed to still be held by Hamas after the devastating October 7th attack on Israel that left over 1,500 people — mostly civilians — dead.

“It’s been heavy through the afternoon, but it really began about three hours ago, I would say. Heavy artillery fire and missile strikes going into Gaza,” Robertson reported. “There are a couple of artillery batteries not far away from where we are, and they were both sending repeat heavy round after round after round.”

Robertson continued:

From where we’ve been, it is the tanks and artillery pieces and the small arms that are doing the talking, perhaps drowning out the negotiations going on in Doha, perhaps adding emphasis to Israel’s position. But, as we know, Hamas has also responded by firing its rockets into Tel Aviv… So, you know, is what we’re seeing on the battlefield an amplification of positions held at those talks to create more pressure or the breakdown in talks.

But what we’re witnessing here is a definitive uptick in tensions, in artillery fire, in tank fire. Where it goes after tonight and what it means going forward, is not clear as we stand here. But definitely it’s the guns doing the talking tonight.

Negotiations have been ongoing in Doha, Qatar, over the fate of some 200 hostages being held by Hamas. Four hostages have been released so far. Israeli bombing in the Gaza Strip has reportedly left thousands dead, with the Hamas-linked Gaza health ministry saying thousands of children are included in the death toll there.

Watch the clip above via CNN.