The militant group Hamas, which has largely abided by a truce for more than a year, said this evening it was renewing attacks on Israel following Israeli strikes which are reported to have killed up to nine people.
"The Israeli massacres represent a direct opening battle and that means the earthquake in the Zionist cities will resume and the herds of occupiers have no choice but to prepare coffins or departing luggage," Hamas's armed wing said in a statement.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri confirmed the militant group, which won a parliamentary election in January and now heads the Palestinian government, would renew its attacks.
"We have reiterated always our commitment to the choice of jihad and resistance," Abu Zuhri said.
"I believe that amid the continued bloodshed of our people and the horrific images of massacres, there is no place for silence." There was no immediate comment from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.