Arab leaders vow Gaza rebuild, truce

The operation came a day after President Donald Trump concluded his Middle East trip without a visit to Israel

- Agencies

JERUSALEM: Israel said on Saturday that it has launched a major operation in the Gaza Strip to pressure Hamas to release remaining hostages, following airstrikes that killed at least 146 Palestinians over the past 24 hours and injured many more. Defence Minister Israel Katz said that Operation Gideon Chariots was being led with "great force." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had vowed to escalate pressure with the aim of destroying the militant group that has ruled Gaza for nearly two decades.

The military operation came a day after US President Donald Trump concluded his Middle East trip without a visit to Israel. There had been hope that Trump's trip could increase the chances of a ceasefire deal or the resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza, which Israel has prevented for more than two months.

Israel's army said on social media that it was intensifying attacks and exerting "tremendous pressure" on Hamas across Gaza, and wouldn't stop until the hostages are returned and the militant group is dismantled.

Ceasefire talks resume Meanwhile, soon after Tel Aviv launched massive new ground assault, Israel and Hamas resumed ceasefire talks on Saturday, in Qatar, both sides said.