IDF aiming to seize strategic areas as part of expansion of war against Hamas in attempt to force release of hostages

Israel has announced a major new offensive in Gaza after launching a wave of airstrikes on the territory that killed more than 100 people , in what it said was a fresh effort to force Hamas to release hostages.

In a statement late on Friday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they had “launched extensive attacks and mobilized forces to seize strategic areas in the Gaza Strip, as part of the opening moves of Operation Gideon’s Chariots and the expansion of the campaign in Gaza, to achieve all the goals of the war in Gaza”.