Gaza Strip attacked by Israeli air and ground troops

The Israel Defence Force (IDF) says air and ground troops are currently attacking the Gaza Strip as tensions continue to escalate.

This comes after four days of cross-border fighting between Israelis and Palestinians, which has killed over 100 people and shows no sign of abating. Israel has been targeting Palestinian military group Hamas, firing airstrikes at their homes and offices.

The Times of Israel reported the army currently has no further information, but says details will follow. 

They reported the IDF are ordering everyone within 4km of the Gaza border to enter a bomb shelter until further notice as they anticipate there will be significant retaliation to their attack on the Gaza Strip.

Rocket warning sirens are reportedly going off in southern Israel and in the cities of Ashdod and Beersheba.

Residents of northern Gaza, near the Israeli frontier, told Reuters they had seen no sign of ground troops inside the enclave but reported heavy artillery fire and dozens of air strikes.

This comes as Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted on Friday morning that Israel would "charge a very heavy price from Hamas".

"We do it and we will continue to do it with great intensity. The last word was not said and this operation will continue as long as necessary. We give one hundred percent backing to the police, the Border Police and the rest of the security forces to restore law and order to the cities of Israel - we will not tolerate anarchy."

Reuters reported Israel was issuing a "punishing bombing campaign" on the Gaza Strip and had massed tanks and troops on the enclave's border.

At least 103 people have been killed in Gaza, including 27 children, over the past four days, Palestinian medical officials said. On Thursday alone, 49 Palestinians were killed in the enclave, the highest single-day figure since Monday.

Seven people have been killed in Israel.

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