Jerusalem | Israel said on Saturday (Sunday AEST) it had launched a major military operation in the Gaza Strip to pressure Hamas to release remaining hostages, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a negotiating team to remain in Qatar for indirect talks with the militant group.
Defence Minister Israel Katz said Operation Gideon Chariots was being led with “great force”. Netanyahu had vowed to escalate pressure with the aim of destroying the militant group that has ruled Gaza for nearly two decades.
