By Reuters

Israel removed parts of a concrete anti-tank barrier in southern Israel as plumes of smoke rose from the Gaza Strip on Monday (September 1).

Concrete barriers erected between Kibbutz Nahal Oz in southern Israel and the Gaza Strip to shield the community from tank fire were dismantled, more than two years after their installation, in a move signalling a reduced threat level from the enclave.

Israel is pushing ahead with a plan to take full control of the whole Gaza Strip, starting with Gaza City. Israel says its goal is to destroy Hamas and rescue the remaining 48 hostages after nearly two years of war.

Residents said Israeli forces sent old armoured vehicles into the eastern parts of the overcrowded Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood, then blew them up remotely, destroying several houses and forcing more families to flee.

The Gaza health ministry said at least 98 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire across the enclave in the past 24 hours.