Israeli troops have surrounded and cut off the main city in Gaza’s north, Gaza City, from the south and are preparing for what is expected to be a difficult and painful effort to root out the terrorists hiding in the urban morass that serves as Hamas’ main stronghold.

The chief of staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, says troops — backed by both air and naval assets — have surrounded the city from several directions in what is being described as “another significant stage in the war.”