As Israeli air strikes pounded Gaza for a third day, Ehud Barak, the Israeli defence minister, said that irrespective of international opinion there would be no let-up until Hamas had been dealt a "severe blow".
Israel has vowed "war to the bitter end" with the militant Islamist movement Hamas as it wages a sustained assault on the Gaza Strip.
As Israeli air strikes pounded Gaza for a third day, Ehud Barak, the Israeli defence minister, said that irrespective of international opinion there would be no let-up until Hamas had been dealt a "severe blow". A top army official said no Hamas buildings would be left standing.
About 335 Palestinians have died since Saturday when the Jewish state launched a major air offensive in the Gaza Strip. Four Israelis have been killed by Palestinian rocket fire in that time, the latest yesterday when a rocket fired by Palestinian militants killed an Israeli woman in the southern city of Ashdod.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon yesterday called for an immediate ceasefire. He said he was "deeply alarmed" by the escalation of violence in Gaza. While recognising Israel's right to defend itself from rocket attacks, he condemned its "excessive use of force."
Downing Street said it was "appalled" at the deteriorating situation in the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday held talks with his Israeli counterpart, Ehud Olmert, in which he urged access for humanitarian teams. Foreign Secretary David Miliband earlier made a strongly worded appeal for the air strikes to stop because they "fuel radicalism'' but there was little sign of a let-up in the pace of Israel's attacks.
Meanwhile, US President George Bush called on Hamas to cease firing rockets but failed to condemn Israeli attacks. In Scotland, a cross-party cross-faith protest letter signed by a group of prominent Scots MPs, MSPs, religious leaders and activists has called on both the Scottish and UK governments to use their influence to urge Israel to halt the air assault.
As Israel's planes battered symbols of Hamas power in Gaza and naval vessels bombarded targets from the sea, it emerged the interior ministry had been flattened, a university was repeatedly bombed and a target close to the home of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas leader and former prime minister, was destroyed.
Israel has begun massing troops on the Gaza border and the cabinet has approved a call-up of 6500 reserve soldiers. Areas around Gaza have been declared "closed military zones."
Observers say the move could be a prelude to ground operations but could also be intended to build pressure on Hamas.
An increasing number of Palestinian civilian fatalities have been reported with four girls believed killed when a bomb struck their home.
Doctors in Gaza say they are struggling to treat hundreds of injured and lack essential medical supplies.
