Israel resumed attacks on the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by the Islamist group Hamas, on December 1, following the expiration of a ceasefire agreement. According to Gaza health officials, 240 people have been killed and 650 injured since the agreement expired.

The health official said attacks had come from the air, land and sea in all parts of Gaza, with the southern city of Khan Yunis being particularly targeted, destroying dozens of homes with residents still inside.

As the Israeli military resumed its attacks, grey smoke rose into the sky above Gaza and rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel.

Israel claims Hamas tried to violate the ceasefire agreement by firing rockets at 5am GMT on Wednesday (2pm Japan time) and failed to draw up a new list of hostages to be released that day.

A Hamas source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that following the expiration of the ceasefire agreement, Hamas’ military wing has been ordered to “restart fighting” and “defend the Gaza Strip.”

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the White House have called for the ceasefire agreement to be reinstated. (AFP/Adel Zaanoun with Delphine Matthieussent in Jerusalem)