DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Israeli military says Palestinian militants ambushed troops in a dense Gaza City neighborhood, killing at least nine of them. The fighting comes as Hamas puts up stiff resistance in areas that Israel has isolated and pounded with airstrikes for over two months. The air and ground war triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack has killed thousands of Palestinian civilians and pushed nearly 85% of Gaza’s population from their homes. It has sparked international outrage. The United States has repeatedly called on Israel to take greater measures to spare civilians, even as it has blocked international calls for a cease-fire and rushed military aid to its close ally. Clashes raged overnight and into Wednesday in multiple areas.