Israeli airstrikes continue with death toll reaches 300

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Meanwhile, Israel's Cabinet has authorized a call-up of at least 6,500 reserve soldiers, a move that suggests plans to expand the offensive.

Palestinian prisoners escape from a Hamas police building following an Israeli air strike in Gaza City on December 28. (AFP/Yasser Saymeh)

Officials say the campaign is a direct response to almost daily rocket and mortar attacks on Israel.

Tzipi Livni, Israel Foreign Minister, said, "Since Hamas is using the civilian population and is acting and targeting Israel from civilian population centers, we call the civilians to leave these places. We are trying to make all the efforts in order to target only terrorists and Hamas headquarters and places. But unfortunately in a war like any war sometimes also civilians pays the price."

In response, Hamas is calling on the Palestinians to stand up against the Israeli attacks.

Fawzi Barhoum, Hamas Spokesman, said, "I call on all the Palestinian factions and their military wings, mainly the Al-Qassam brigades, to remain on high alert, and to take charge and take on the responsibility of defending the Palestinian people, and to target the Zionists deeply, with fierce and severe attacks."

Hamas militants continued to fire rockets and mortars into Israel on Sunday.

Two rockets struck deeper into Israel than ever before. They landed close to Ashdod, a southern city located some 38 kilometers from Gaza.

Analysts say the targeting of Ashdod confirmed Tel Aviv's concern that militants are capable of wrecking havoc on major Israeli cities.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei