The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Friday that it had expanded its ground operations in the northern Gaza Strip, with troops pushing into Gaza City’s eastern Shejaiya neighborhood, reports The Times of Israel.

According to the military, the operations are aimed at expanding Israel’s buffer zone along the Gaza border.

The IDF said that so far, troops have killed several terror operatives and destroyed infrastructure, including a Hamas command center.

The Israeli military said it is enabling civilians to evacuate the area “for their safety.”