Israel says its air and ground forces are currently attacking the Gaza Strip

On Friday local time, Israeli Defense Forces announced that its air and ground troops are “attacking in the Gaza Strip.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operations were targeted at Hamas and would continue “as long as necessary.”

On Thursday, officials from the United Nations and Egyptian delegation said ceasefire negotiations were underway. The UN has warned that the violence in Gaza could escalate into a “full-scale war” after Israel carried out heavy airstrikes on Gaza and Palestinian militants fired hundreds of rockets into Israel.