Dozens of Palestinians killed as Israel clashes with Hamas in Gaza

Israel said on Monday its military death toll from ground operations in Gaza had risen to 76

Palestinians look for survivors of the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip in Rafah, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Hatem Ali)

The Israeli military said its forces were confronting Hamas fighters across the Gaza Strip, indicating its planned ground offensive in the enclave's refugee-crowded south had begun as Israeli bombing killed and wounded dozens of Palestinians.

The renewed warfare followed the end on Friday of a seven-day pause in the fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas militants which had allowed an exchange of 105 hostages held by Hamas, most of them Israelis, for 240 Palestinian prisoners.