Israel threatens intensifying assault on Gaza if hostages are not returned

Israel has warned of a more “intense and significant” offensive in Gaza if progress was not made on the return of hostages, the army’s chief of staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said on Thursday. This comes as the UN said there had been half a million new displaced Gazans in the past months and that what little flour remains in the Strip is running out. Israeli strikes killed at least 55 people on Thursday alone, Palestinian health officials said.