Israeli airstrikes pounded Gaza, killing at least 326 people, Palestinian health authorities said Tuesday, and threatening a complete collapse of a two-month ceasefire as it vowed to use force to free its remaining hostages in the strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had instructed the military to take "strong action" against the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Gaza in response to the group's refusal to release hostages held there and rejection of ceasefire proposals.
"Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength," the prime minister's office said in a statement.
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