Palestinian death toll rises amid air assault

Israel dramatically escalated its aerial assault targeting hundreds of Hamas sites in the Gaza Strip yesterday.

Palestinians reported the strikes also hit a home and a beachside cafe, raising the total number of people killed in this week’s offensive to at least 85. Israel’s missile defence system also once again intercepted rockets fired by militants at the country’s heartland.

Military spokesman Lt Col Peter Lerner said Israel struck more than 320 Hamas targets overnight, focusing on underground tunnel networks and rocket launching sites. In all, the military has struck 750 sites since the offensive began on Tuesday. Israel has mobilised 20,000 reservists for a possible ground operation into Gaza, but for the time remains focused on maximising its air campaign, Lerner said.