Gaza ceasefire talks resume as Israeli strikes kill hundreds over 72 hours

Israel and Hamas resumed ceasefire talks on May 17 in Qatar, both sides said, even as Israeli forces ramped up a bombing campaign that has killed hundreds of people over 72 hours and mobilized for a massive new ground assault.

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JERUSALEM/CAIRO - Israel and Hamas resumed ceasefire talks on May 17 in Qatar, both sides said, even as Israeli forces ramped up a bombing campaign that has killed hundreds of people over 72 hours and mobilized for a massive new ground assault.

The Palestinian health authorities said at least 146 people were confirmed killed on the third day of Israel's latest bombing campaign, one of the deadliest waves of strikes since a ceasefire collapsed in March.

Many hundreds more wounded were being treated in hospital, and countless others were still buried under rubble.

Israel says it is mobilizing to seize more ground in Gaza in a new campaign dubbed "Operation Gideon's Chariots", which follows a visit this week to the Middle East by US President Donald Trump.

Israel has halted all supplies entering Gaza since the start of March, leading to rising international concern over the plight of the enclave's 2.3 million residents.

Mr Taher Al-Nono, the media adviser for the Hamas leadership, told Reuters that a new round of indirect talks with the Israeli delegation in Doha began on May 17, discussing all issues "without preconditions".