Israeli forces have withdrawn to buffer zones inside Gaza, hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza and hundreds of trucks of aid entered daily until Israel cut off supplies to the territory's 2 million people two weeks ago. Hamas is believed to be holding 24 living hostages and the bodies of 35 others.

The militant group did not immediately specify when the release of soldier Edan Alexander and the four bodies would take place.

Hamas says it will release American Israeli Edan Alexander and the bodies of four other hostages only if Israel implements their cease-fire agreement.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the strikes because of a lack of progress in ongoing talks to extend the ceasefire.

Israel has launched a new wave of airstrikes across the Gaza Strip, striking dozens of Hamas targets in its heaviest assault in the territory since a ceasefire took effect in January