Israel bombarded Gaza overnight in what an Israel Defense Forces spokesman described as a “significant attack,” while the enclave was plunged into a near total communications blackout for the third time since the conflict began. The civilian death toll is soaring as Israeli troops and tanks advance deep into Gaza, with the number of Palestinians killed so far approaching 10,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The IDF spokesman, Daniel Hagari, also said Israel had encircled Gaza City and reached the coastline, splitting the territory into north and south.