Hamas officials reported that Israel bombed the Islamic University in the Gaza Strip late on Sunday.

The United Nations Security Council Sunday called for an immediate halt to all violence in the Gaza Strip amid ongoing Israeli air strikes that have killed more than 270 people in Gaza. The Israeli assault followed days of rocket and mortar attacks on Israel by militants in Gaza. VOA's Purnell Murdock reports.

Israel is pulling tanks and infantry reinforcements close to Gaza in preparation for a possible attack on Hamas militants, Israel's Ynet web portal and the Israeli newspaper Jerusalem Post reported on Sunday.

Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip continued on December 28 with a reported 271 people killed since the offensive began a day earlier. Israel says the attacks are a response to rocket and mortar fire by Gaza militants, which increased after a six-month cease-fire ended recently.

Muslim Brotherhood Deputy Chairman Mohamed Habib slammed the deadly attacks on Gaza that were launched by Israeli occupation on Saturday leaving dozens dead and wounded.

The airforce has launched a wide air attack on Hamas installations in the Gaza Strip. Both F-16 fighter planes and helicopters were involved.

Palestinian medical officials say Israeli airstrikes on Hamas compounds in the Gaza Strip have killed at least 155 people.

On Thursday Prime Minister Olmert issued a last minute appeal to Palestinians in Gaza to reject their Hamas rulers and stop rocket fire at Israel. He warned them Israel would not hesitate to use force.

Jerusalem's Latin Patriarch confirmed that Pope Benedict 16th will visit Israel in May on his first trip to the region as pontiff.

The U.N.'s top human rights official says the Israeli blockade of Gaza is depriving Palestinians of their most basic human rights.

The Knesset marked Monday the 13th anniversary of the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said that Rabin was murdered as part of a campaign of incitement that many took part in. He said that truth will require Israel to give up large parts of Judea and Samaria, Jerusalem and the Golan.

Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai says Israel hopes the Gaza Strip ceasefire can be extended, despite the recent outbreak of violence in the Hamas-ruled territory. Vilnai said it looks like things are calming down.