Palestinian health ministry officials say 100 killed after Israeli military launches biggest attack on territory since January ceasefire began

• Deaths reported in Gaza as Israeli military conducts ‘extensive strikes’ despite ceasefire

An Israeli official has tole Agence France Presse that the extensive operation launched across the Gaza Strip on Tuesday was targeting Hamas leadership and infrastructure and would last “as long as necessary”.

The Israeli military “has launched a series of preemptive strikes targeting mid-ranking military commanders, leadership officials and terrorist infrastructure belonging to the Hamas terrorist organisation,” the official, who declined to be named, said, adding that the operation “will continue as long as necessary, and will expand beyond air strikes”.