JERUSALEM — The Israeli military launched what could be a long-term offensive against the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip today striking nearly 100 sites in Gaza and mobilizing troops for a possible ground invasion aimed at stopping a heavy barrage of rocket attacks against Israel.

The military said “Operation Protective Edge” looks to strike the Islamic Hamas group and end the rocket fire that has reached deeper into Israel and intensified in recent weeks.

The attacks come as tensions have soared over the killing of three Israeli teenagers and the apparent revenge killing of a Palestinian teenager by three Jewish suspects.

The military said it was seeking to “retrieve stability to the residents of southern Israel, eliminate Hamas' capabilities and destroy terror infrastructure operating against the State of Israel and its civilians.”

JOHANNESBURG — The chief defense lawyer in the murder trial of Oscar Pistorius says he has closed his case, and the judge says final arguments will be held in court on Aug. 7 and 8.Lawyer Barry Roux said today that he had finished calling witnesses to testify in the trial of Pistorius, who killed girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp by firing through a closed toilet door in his home.Chief prosecutor Gerrie Nel says the prosecution will file closing arguments on July 30 and the defense will do so on Aug. 4.He and Roux also agreed to return to court Aug. 7 to make final arguments.Pistorius says he killed Steenkamp by mistake. The prosecution says he shot her after an argument.

TOKYO — A powerful typhoon pummeled the southern Japanese islands of Okinawa today, paralyzing transport and prompting U.S. forces there to cancel outdoor activities.The Okinawan government said 10 people were injured, one seriously.Separately, a man was reported missing from a fishing boat in rough seas off Kyushu island, to the north.One of the strongest and biggest typhoons to hit during Japan's summer months, Typhoon Neoguri was packing sustained winds of 120 miles per hour and gusts up to 148 mph, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.