Israel launches new strikes on Gaza, promising "increasing military force" against Hamas

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israel launched new strikes against Hamas, killing at least 69 people, according to Gaza's health ministry, and promised "increasing military force" after talks on further hostage releases stalled, Israel's Office of the Prime Minister said Monday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement its military is "currently attacking targets of the Hamas terrorist organization throughout the Gaza Strip, with the aim of achieving the war goals as determined by the political echelon, including the release of all our hostages - living and dead."

"From now on, Israel will act against Hamas with increasing military force," the prime minister's office said.