Israel pounds Gaza City after offensive gets green light

Israel hammered Gaza City and its outskirts overnight, residents said Thursday, after the defence ministry approved an expanded offensive to target the remaining Hamas strongholds in the strip.

The newly approved plan authorises the call-up of roughly 60,000 reservists, deepening fears the campaign will worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory.

“We are not waiting. We have begun the preliminary actions, and already now, IDF (army) troops are holding the…