Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue to respond forcefully to rocket attacks as conflict with Palestinians in Gaza enters a seventh day.
Speaking in a televised address late on Saturday, Mr Netanyahu said the strikes would continue for “as long as necessary” and that everything possible was being done to limit civilian casualties.
“The party that bears the guilt for this confrontation is not us, it’s those attacking us,” said Mr Netanyahu.
Israeli air strikes in Gaza killed at least three Palestinians early on Sunday, health officials said.
Also, Israel destroyed a 12-storey tower block in Gaza housing the offices of the US-based Associated Press and other news media on Saturday, saying the building was also used by the Islamist militant group Hamas.
The al-Jalaa building in Gaza City, which also houses the offices of Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera as well as other offices and apartments, had been evacuated after the owner received advanced warning of the strike.
Palestinian militants fired rockets towards Tel Aviv, causing people there to flee to bomb shelters.
The international community has called for an end to the escalating conflict.
On Saturday, US President Joe Biden phoned Mr Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to express concern about the situation.
A UN Security Council meeting is set to take place later on Sunday.
Since the fighting began on Monday at least 148 people have been killed in Gaza, according to Palestinian officials, and Israel has reported 10 dead, including two children.
Israel says dozens of militants are among the dead in Gaza, while Palestinian health officials say their death toll includes 41 children.
The flare-up of violence over the last six days came after weeks of increasing Israeli-Palestinian tension in East Jerusalem, which culminated in clashes at a holy site revered by both Muslims and Jews.
Hamas – the Palestinian militant group that runs Gaza – began firing rockets after warning Israel to withdraw from the site, triggering retaliatory air strikes.
BBC
