Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip have killed at least 146 people since dawn on Friday, Gaza's Hamas-run Health Ministry has claimed.
The strikes were part of “the expansion of the battle in the Gaza Strip, with the goal of achieving all the war’s objectives, including the release of the abducted and the defeat of Hamas”, Israel’s army said in a statement.
The Israeli military said on Saturday it had launched “extensive strikes” in the Gaza Strip over the past day as part of the “initial stages” of a fresh offensive, known as “Operation Gideon’s Chariots”.
Following the strikes, Hamas has confirmed a new round of Gaza ceasefire talks with Israel is underway in Qatar's Doha.
Israeli tanks stand near the Israel-Gaza border
Reuters
He said both sides were discussing all issues without "pre-conditions".
Israel has faced pressure to lift an aid blockade in return for a US-Israeli hostage released by Hamas.
The current conflict, which dates back to the Hamas terror attack in October 2023, resumed after a two-month truce, where hostages were exchanged.
The Health Ministry in Gaza said 2,985 Palestinians have been killed since Israel resumed strikes on March 18, taking the war’s overall toll to 53,119.
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Destruction in North Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border
Reuters
On Friday, Israeli media reported that their military has moved forward with its offensive, in line with a plan approved by Benjamin Netanyahu.
However, there had not been any formal announcement of an expanded campaign.
The military said its forces had “struck over 150 terror targets throughout the Gaza Strip” in 24 hours.
A grandfather and two of his grandchildren were among the people killed as they tried to evacuate Khan Younis, Al Jazeera reported.
A Palestinian man carries the body of a child killed in Israeli strikes
Reuters
The media outlet added that several more Palestinians were injured in the strikes, which were targeted at tent housing in Deir el-Balah and Khan Younis on Saturday morning.
The whole conflict between Israel and the Palestinian people is one of the longest-running and most violent disputes in the world.
Witnesses also reported smoke bombs, artillery shelling and tanks in Beit Lahia.
Israel's military has claimed that attacks on the region are to "locate and dismantle terrorist infrastructure sites".
