Under a veil of secrecy, the Israeli invasion of Gaza has begun

And even after that, the military kept a veil over its activities. Only limited information was released on Monday, giving the impression of a controlled, low-intensity advance.

Mr. Netanyahu, speaking to reporters, emphatically rejected calls for a ceasefire as “a call for Israel to surrender to Hamas, to surrender to terrorism.” Asked about the death toll in Gaza, Mr. Netanyahu said that “no civilian needs to die,” and accused Hamas of “preventing them from leaving the conflict zones.”

The military has released unverified footage showing Israeli tanks moving slowly across beaches in northern Gaza. The clips also showed Israeli bulldozers reshaping the terrain, possibly to facilitate the passage of the tanks or to destroy the tunnel infrastructure. But the footage showed little actual fighting, and reports of skirmishes were limited to short and vague statements.

Following international condemnation of the toll the attacks have taken on Palestinian civilians, Israel has spoken only about its actions against Hamas fighters.

“Troops killed dozens of terrorists who barricaded themselves in buildings and tunnels,” an Israeli army announcement said.

Hamas has also tried to use the vagueness to its advantage. The military wing has acknowledged the clashes with Israeli forces, but only in general terms. “Mujahideen surprise enemy forces advancing northwest of Beit Lahia,” a Hamas statement said Monday afternoon.

On Monday evening, Israeli soldiers appeared to have surrounded Gaza City, cutting off access to the city from the north and south but still refraining from sending large troops in.

“A kind of pincer movement that cuts it off and makes sure no one leaves,” is how Dr. Get it.

Whether it will work is unclear: the real test will come once the Israeli forces enter Gaza City.

“We’re not yet at the stage of urban fighting where things get really messy,” said Dr. Krieg.