Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said he had told the military to take "strong action" against Hamas in response to the group's refusal to release the remaining hostages and because of their rejection of ceasefire proposals.

"I am horrified by last night's Israeli airstrikes and shelling in Gaza, which killed hundreds, according to the Ministry of Health in the strip. This will add tragedy onto tragedy," High Commissioner Volker Turk said in a statement.

Palestinians make their way to flee their homes, after the Israel army issued evacuation orders for a number of neighborhoods, following heavy Israeli strikes, in Beit Lahiya

"Israel's resort to yet more military force will only heap further misery upon a Palestinian population already suffering catastrophic conditions."

Ajith Sunghay, head of the UN Human Rights office for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, called the resumption of Israeli bombardments tragic after a two-month respite in the conflict that began on October 7, 2023, with a Hamas-led assault on Israel.

"We're again seeing the scenes of mutilated bodies of children and bodies wrapped in shrouds," he told a Geneva press briefing. "It is unacceptable, even unimaginable, to once again, find ourselves talking about this instead of supporting a path towards meaningful recovery and sustainable peace."


--Reuters--