Copy in clipboard...
Israel launches ’extensive ground operations’ in Gaza
The announcement came just hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signaled Israel was open to striking a deal with Hamas that involved "ending the fighting" in the besieged Palestinian territory, AFP reported.
The military said that over the past day, troops had "begun extensive ground operations throughout the northern and southern Gaza Strip”.
Israel claims its ramped-up campaign is aimed at freeing hostages and defeating Hamas, but as the early stages of the operation got underway Saturday, Israel and the group were entering indirect talks in Qatar aimed at hammering out a deal.
On the ground, civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP that at least 50 people had been killed Sunday "as a result of ongoing Israeli air strikes since the early hours".
He said 22 people were killed and at least 100 others wounded in a predawn attack on tents sheltering displaced Palestinians in Al-Mawasi, in the southern Gaza Strip.
"All my family members are gone. There is no one left," said a distraught Warda al-Shaer standing amid the wreckage.