Israel launches major operation in Gaza to pressure Hamas over hostages

Israel has launched a major operation in the Gaza Strip to pressure Hamas to release remaining hostages, the defence minister said Saturday, following days of intensive strikes across the territory that killed hundreds of people.

The Israeli military announced the early stages of an intensified operation in Gaza aimed at defeating Hamas, with rescuers in the beseiged Palestinian territory reporting 10 killed on May 17 in fresh Israeli strikes.(AFP)

Defence Minister Israel Katz said that Operation Gideon Chariots was being led with “great force” by Israel's army.