Israel army says launched 'targeted ground operations' in Gaza 

Israel's military said Wednesday that it had launched "targeted ground operations" in Gaza after conducting a series of air strikes on a scale not seen since a ceasefire began in January.

"Over the past 24 hours, IDF (military) forces have begun targeted ground operations in the central and southern Gaza Strip to expand the security perimeter and create a partial buffer between the north and south of the Strip," the army said in a statement, adding that troops had "taken control and expanded their presence up to the central Netzarim Corridor".

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Meanwhile, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a "last warning" to Gazans on Wednesday, saying in a video statement that they should follow the advice of US President Donald Trump and return Israeli hostages and remove Hamas from power.

"Residents of Gaza, this is the last warning," Katz said. "Take the advice of the President of the United States. Return the hostages and remove Hamas, and other options will open up for you -- including the possibility of leaving for other places in the world for those who want to."