Hamas will feel Israel's 'wrath', a top political adviser to Benjamin Netanyahu warned as Israeli warplanes tonight unleashed airstrikes of 'unprecedented' intensity across all parts of the Gaza strip.
The relentless bombardment came as Israeli defence chiefs confirmed IDF troops were 'expanding operations' across the enclave, in a move military experts say signalled the impending full-scale ground invasion of the territory.
Ahead of the onslaught, Palestinian civilians were warned by the IDF to flee to the south of Gaza, before missiles then slammed into the Hamas-controlled region, razing buildings to the ground and bathing the skyline in an apocalyptic orange glow, as fire raged.
The bombing, which observers described as much more ferocious and louder than previous days, coincided with electricity and communications blackouts in much of the besieged enclave.
According to one report the Israelis even unleashed 'bunker buster' concussion missiles to try and destroy the extensive Hamas tunnel network under Gaza.
IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari telling reporters at a press conference today: 'In recent hours we have increased the attacks in Gaza.
'The air force widely attacks underground targets and terrorist infrastructure, very significantly.
'In continuation of the offensive activity we carried out in the last few days, the ground forces are expanding the ground activity this evening.'
Speaking to MSNBC, Israeli political adviser Mark Regev claimed Hamas will pay for what he said were its crimes against humanity.
He told Fox News in a separate interview tonight that the Gaza Strip would look 'very different' after 'this is over.'
He told Fox News tonight: 'We are beefing up the pressure on Hamas. We're increasing the pressure that they're under. Our military operations are underway.
'They will continue to be on the receiving end of our military blows until we have dismantled their military machine and dissolve their political structure in Gaza. When this is over, Gaza will be very different.'
The IDF said tonight it was expanding its bombardment campaign against Gaza, and was 'working powerfully in all dimensions' to achieve its military goals.
Hamas returned fire with a 'salvo' of rockets, though it not known how many were caught by Israel's Iron Dome defence system.
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