Israel steps up bombardment of Gaza Strip

The strikes have killed dozens of people at a time in flattened homes, according to witnesses.

Israel has ramped up air strikes across the Gaza Strip, reducing residential buildings to rubble and crushing families (Picture: Hatem Ali/AP)

Israel has ramped up air strikes across the Gaza Strip, reducing residential buildings to rubble and crushing families.

The surging death toll foretells even greater loss of life ahead in Gaza, where Israeli forces are expected to launch a ground invasion seeking to destroy Hamas.