Netanyahu says strikes across Gaza that killed hundreds ‘only the beginning’

An injured man is taken to the Al-Ahli hospital after Israeli army overnight airstrikes across the Gaza Strip (Jehad Alshrafi/AP)

Israel launched airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early on Tuesday, killing more than 400 Palestinians, health officials said, and shattering a ceasefire in place since January with its deadliest bombardment in a 17-month war with Hamas.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the strikes, which killed mostly women and children, after Hamas refused Israeli demands to change the ceasefire agreement.