Israel has carried out “extensive” air strikes in Gaza in its heaviest bombing raid since the fragile ceasefire with Hamas began.

Defence minister Israel Katz said Israel has “resumed fighting” and promised that “the gates of hell will open in Gaza” until all remaining hostages are released.

The Israeli army said it was “conducting extensive strikes on terror targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organisation in the Gaza Strip”.

It has promised “increasing military force” after talks with Hamas on further hostage releases have stalled.

The Israeli Defence Forces said it had targeted Hamas commanders and leadership officials.

It added that military action would continue “as long as necessary” and “will expand beyond air strikes”.

In response, Hamas said Israel had resumed its “aggression” against civilians, and said by overturning the ceasefire agreement in an “unprovoked escalation” Mr Netanyahu is “exposing hostages in Gaza to unknown fate”.

Hamas added that a senior security official had been killed in the assault.

Medics in Gaza claimed more than 100 people have been killed in the strikes and dozens are reported to have been wounded.