Jerusalem: Israeli troops have hit 150 Hamas targets and a network of tunnels in Gaza in the biggest bombardment yet.
The Israel Defence Force (IDF) said air and ground forces launched a series of attacks last night – dropping 450 missiles on the Gaza Strip in just 40 minutes.
As the conflict escalated, some 160 aircraft were flying simultaneously to conduct a massive attack in Gaza last night.
This 40-minute airstrike was the largest Israeli bombardment since the outbreak of fighting began earlier this week, the military says.
And 9,000 Israeli reserve troops have been called up amid the escalating violence in the region.
Palestinians militants have fired some 1,800 rockets and the military has launched more than 600 airstrikes, toppling at least three apartment blocks.
And on Thursday night, an additional 220 projectiles were fired on Israel from Gaza.
So far 119 Palestinians and eight Israelis have died.
The IDF sparked confusion last night by saying soldiers on the ground had entered the Palestinian enclave – as its fighter jets continued to hit targets belonging to militants.
The force tweeted: “IDF air and ground troops are currently attacking in the Gaza Strip.”