Israel Palestine conflict news LIVE: Hamas leaders’ homes among 150 targets hit in retaliation strikes as fears of a huge ground invasion of Gaza grow

Israeli has pounded Lebanon with artillery strikes today after claiming there had been ‘shooting’ directed towards it from its northern neighbour

Columns of heavy weaponry including tanks and armored personnel carriers were also spotted moving north toward Israel’s border with Lebanon and Syria, amid fears Iran-backed Hezbollah militants are preparing to open a second front.

Photos have been released showing Israeli soldiers (below)

in position close to the border with Lebanon amid fears the conflict could escalate.

Video has revealed the moment Israeli retaliatory strikes flattened two tower blocks in the Gaza strip overnight and in the early hours of this morning.

A missile strike on the Palestine Tower in the Al-Rimal neighbourhood saw one of the tallest buildings in the territory reduced to rubble.

Israel has launched retaliatory strikes in the Gaza strip this morning following an unprecedented sneak attack that has left at least 300 Israelis dead.

As the sun rose on Sunday following the deadliest day of violence in Israel in 50 years, the Jewish nation’s warplanes strafed densely populated Gaza City with bombs in retaliatory strikes.

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza had intensified after nightfall, flattening residential buildings in giant explosions, including a 14-story tower that held dozens of apartments as well as Hamas offices in central Gaza City. Israeli forces issued a warning just before.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said early today that Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) has started the ‘offensive phase’ of their response to the yesterday’s surprise assault.