The bloodshed followed the launch of a new Israeli military operation aimed at putting more pressure on Hamas to release hostages.

Israel says it has begun sending troops into Gaza as part of a larger ground operation aimed at pushing Hamas to demilitarize and release the remaining hostages it holds.

Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in recent days as Israel has intensified air strikes, the Hamas-run health ministry says.

Israel says it has launched “extensive” new ground operations in Gaza. Hospitals and medics say airstrikes in Israel’s new offensive killed at least 103 people overnight and into Sunday. They say dozens of children

The Israeli military intensified operations across Gaza Thursday, killing more than 100 people, and pledged to continue bombings as US President Donald Trump suggested establishing a “freedom zone” in the enclave.

Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed more than 250 people since Thursday morning, local health authorities said on Friday, one of the deadliest phases of bombardment since a truce collapsed in March, with a new ground offensive expected soon.

Israel says it has launched a major operation in the Gaza Strip to pressure Hamas to release remaining hostages

International mediators are making renewed efforts to reach a truce in Gaza after Israel launched a major new offensive in the territory, as the health ministry there reported more than 100 people killed in intense overnight strikes.