Israel resumes air strikes on Gaza, at least 330 killed

Israel on Tuesday resumed its attacks on Gaza, killing at least 330 persons, AFP quoted the Palestinian health authorities as saying.

The attacks, which began at around 2 am local time, are the deadliest assault on the Palestinian territory since the ceasefire took effect on January 19.

The head of the Palestinian health ministry, Mohammed Zaqut, told AFP that hundreds of persons have been injured and several of them are in critical condition.

The air strikes signify that Tel Aviv has unilaterally ended the ceasefire, Reuters quoted an unidentified official of the Palestinian militant group Hamas as saying.

The attacks targeted densely populated urban areas, temporary schools, residential buildings and locations where displaced persons were taking shelter in tents, Al Jazeera reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he had ordered the air strikes because of Hamas’ “repeated refusal to release our hostages” and a lack of progress in talks to extend the ceasefire.

“Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength,” Netanyahu said. “The operational plan was presented by the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] over the weekend and approved by the political leadership.”

Hamas stated that Israel’s actions were an “unprovoked escalation” that would put the hostages at risk, reported the AP.

The Palestinian militant group called on other countries to “raise their voice in rejection of the resumption of the Zionist war of extermination...

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