Israel has launched a wave of air attacks through the Gaza Strip, breaking the agreed ceasefire, which, although trembling, had been in place since January.
Air raids in the early hours on Tuesday killed more than 320 people, including many women and children.
The surprise bombardment broke a period of relative calm during the Ramadan Sacred Muslim month and raised the prospect of a complete return to the fighting in a 17 -month war which killed more than 48,000 Palestinians and caused general destruction through Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered attacks due to a lack of progress in talks to extend the ceasefire and guarantee the release of remaining captives taken by Hamas in October 2023.
Hamas warned that Israel had violated the ceasefire and had put the fate of the captives still held in danger.
The White House said it had been consulted and that it had expressed support for Israel’s actions.
