Hamas said on Saturday its fighters in Gaza were ready to confront Israeli attacks with "full force" after Israel's military widened its air and ground attacks on the Palestinian enclave. The Palestinian group said its fighters were clashing with Israeli troops in areas near the border with Israel after Israel reported intensified attacks in Gaza. By Saturday morning, a cutoff in internet and phone services - which telecoms firms and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said was a result of Israeli bombardments - had been continuing for more than 12 hours.