Israeli Airstrikes Kill at Least 155 in Gaza

Officials say the assault wounded more than 200 other people Saturday. They say Gaza police chief Tawfik Jabber was among those killed.

The Israeli military confirmed the strikes on Hamas targets across Gaza, and warned the operation could be expanded.

The Palestinian militant group vowed to avenge the attacks and fired rockets into southern Israel, killing one Israeli.

Tensions between Israel and Hamas have escalated since a six-month cease-fire expired last week. The Israeli raid follows days of rocket and mortar attacks on Israel by militants in Gaza, and Israeli warnings of reprisal attacks.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, a rival of Hamas, condemned the Israeli airstrikes and called for restraint.

Egypt also condemned the air raids and said it was opening its border with Gaza to allow some of the wounded to be brought out. Russia called on Israel to halt its military operation in Gaza and urged Hamas to stop the rocket attacks on Israel.

Despite the violence, Israel temporarily opened some border crossings Friday to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. Truckloads of fuel, food and other vital goods crossed into the impoverished territory.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters. By VOA News