Israeli planes hit 32 Gaza targets

In a direct message to Hamas’ interior minister in Gaza, Israeli jet fighters destroyed his office early today, intensifying an air invasion while delaying a broad ground offensive to give Arab mediators a last chance to gain the release of a kidnapped soldier.

Israel’s air force has struck more than 30 targets in Gaza in the past 24 hours, hitting roads, bridges and power plants, in a massive offensive meant to pressure Hamas militants to release Cpl. Gilad Shalit, 19.