DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — At least 60 people were killed by Israeli strikes across Gaza in a 24-hour period, Gaza’s health ministry said Friday, as Israel pressed ahead with its military offensive and let in minimal aid to the strip.

The bloodshed followed the launch of a new Israeli military operation aimed at putting more pressure on Hamas to release hostages.

The toll from “Israeli strikes in various areas across the Gaza Strip since midnight” totals 16 dead, agency official Mohammed al-Mughayyir told AFP. The official said there were also dozens of people wounded in the strikes, which mainly hit the centre and south of the territory.