100 dead, rescuers say, as Israel launches new Gaza offensive

Gaza's civil defence agency said 100 people were killed in strikes on Friday as the Israeli military launched a major new phase of its operations in the strip, announcing “extensive strikes” as part of what it calls "Operation Gideon’s Chariots".

Israel has intensified its bombardment and built up armoured forces along the border despite growing international pressure for it to resume ceasefire talks and end its blockade of Gaza.

Just before midnight on Friday, the Israeli military said that during the last day forces began launching extensive strikes and transferring forces to seize control over areas within the Gaza Strip.

The operation was 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", it said in a post ion Telegram in Arabic.

A separate statement in English said the army was "mobilising troops to achieve operational control in areas of the Gaza Strip".

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on May 5 that Israel was planning an expanded, intensive offensive against Hamas as his security cabinet approved plans that could involve seizing the entire Gaza Strip and controlling aid.

An Israeli defence official said at the time that the operation would not be launched before US President Donald Trump concluded his visit to the Middle East.

Heavy strikes were reported on Friday in the northern town of Beit Lahiya and in the Jabalia refugee camp, where Palestinian emergency services said many bodies were still buried in the rubble.

Israel dropped leaflets on Beit Lahiya ordering all residents to leave, whether they lived in tents, shelters or buildings. "Leave southwards immediately," the leaflets read.

Residents said Israeli tanks were advancing towards the southern city of Khan Younis.

Israel's military said its air force had struck more than 150 military targets across Gaza.