The announcement comes after intensified airstrikes launched by the Israeli Air Force over the past week. "IDF troops have begun extensive ground operations throughout northern and southern Gaza as part of Operation 'Gideon's Chariots,'" the IDF announced Sunday morning.

IDF Spokesperson Effie Defrin announced this evening that the new operation is intended to provide 'all necessary flexibility to bring the hostages back.'

Following the launch of Operation Gideon's Chariots, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) struck more than 160 terror targets across Gaza in a single day. The strikes targeted northern, central, and southern Gaza,