Israel's military has announced the launch of a major offensive aimed at defeating Hamas and securing the freedom of remaining hostages in Gaza.The Israeli Defense Forces said on its Hebrew X account that it had mobilised troops for "Operation Gideon's Chariots" to seize "strategic areas" of the strip.

Israel says it has launched a new military operation in the Gaza Strip to pressure Hamas to release the remaining hostages.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Friday it had launched attacks and mobilized forces to seize areas in the Gaza Strip, as part of Operation Gideon's Chariots and