Israel on Tuesday stepped up its air attacks on the Gaza Strip, bombing a high-rise building that it claimed was being used by Hamas militants. At least 3 alleged militants were killed in the strike. In retaliation, Hamas has continued to rain down rockets almost non-stop on parts of Israel.
The death toll in Gaza rose to 43 Palestinians, including 10 children, according to the Health Ministry. Over 200 people were wounded.
It was the heaviest fighting between the two bitter enemies since 2014, and it showed no signs of slowing.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to expand the offensive, while Gaza militants unleashed a fierce late-night barrage of rockets that set off air-raid sirens and explosions throughout the densely populated Tel Aviv metropolitan area.
Five Israeli civilians, including 3 women, were killed by rocket fire, and dozens of people wounded.