Underground tunnel system bombed
GAZA/JERUSALEM: Israel bombed what it said were underground tunnels used by Hamas and Palestinian militants fired rocket barrages at Israeli cities as fighting spilled into a second week yesterday amid mounting international calls for a ceasefire.
There was no sign of any end to the most serious hostilities in years between Israel and the Hamas Islamists who rule Gaza, where 2 million Palestinians live.
The sound of explosions roared overnight as dozens of Israeli fighter jets bombed what the military said was an underground tunnel system used by Hamas.
Witnesses said roads, security buildings and militant training camps had been attacked in and around Gaza City.
After Gaza rockets were fired at the Israeli cities of Beersheba and Ashkelon, Israeli aircraft struck nine residences belonging to highranking Hamas commanders, the military said.
Some of the homes were used for weapons storage, it said.
Palestinian media reported that Israel had struck a factory in northern Gaza.
World concern had deepened after an Israeli air strike in Gaza that destroyed several homes on Sunday and which Palestinian health officials said killed 42 people, including 10 children, and persistent rocket attacks on Israeli towns.
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote on Twitter: ‘‘All parties need to deescalate tensions — the violence must end immediately’’, after he spoke to Egypt’s foreign minister about ongoing violence in Israel, Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
At a United Nations Security Council meeting on Sunday, the US said it had made clear to Israel, the Palestinians and others that it was ready to offer support ‘‘should the parties seek a ceasefire’’.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel’s campaign in Gaza was continuing at ‘‘full force’’ and that deterrence had to be achieved to prevent future conflict with Hamas.
The Gaza Health Ministry put the death toll since the hostilities flared at 197, including 58 children and 34 women.
Ten people have been killed in Israel, including two children, Israeli authorities said.
Hamas began its rocket assault a week ago after weeks of tensions over a court case to evict several Palestinian families in East Jerusalem, and in retaliation for Israeli police clashes with Palestinians near the city's AlAqsa Mosque during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.