Story by the Associated Press; curated by Oliver Darcy.

_

JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli military says it has launched what could be an extended offensive on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip to quell rocket attacks against Israel, striking at least 50 sites in the Palestinian territory.

Israeli soldiers drive on an armored personnel carrier near the Israel and Gaza Strip border, Monday, July 7, 2014. (AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

Israelli Army spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner says the military attacked four houses belonging to militants, concealed rocket launchers, and other sites early Tuesday. Most of the sites were targeted in airstrikes, and three were attacked from the sea.

UPDATE: Throughout the night, the #IDF hit 50 #Hamas terror targets in #Gaza as a part of Operation Protective Edge

— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) July 8, 2014

Lerner says the army will gradually increase attacks on Gaza, and is recruiting reservists for a potential ground invasion.

He says Israel seeks to "strike Hamas" and end the rocket fire. The army says about 300 projectiles were fired from Gaza at Israel in recent weeks, including 80 rockets on Monday.

The army ordered Israelis in the country's south to stay indoors.

—