21 Aug 2014

Israel PM vows further Gaza campaign

9:18 am on 21 August 2014

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the campaign against Gaza militants, amid renewed fighting between the two sides.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed a continued campaign against Gaza militants.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed a continued campaign against Gaza militants. Photo: AFP

The Israeli military said it had carried out 92 air strikes, in response to 137 rockets fired into its territory since the beginning of July.

Hamas said the wife and child of its military commander, Mohammed Deif, were killed in an Israeli air strike.

Hostilities resumed this week, with both sides blaming each other for the collapse of the Cairo peace talks, the BBC reported.

Six weeks of fierce fighting have left at least 2,103 people dead so far.

Smoke rises from buildings following an Israeli air strike on Gaza City.

Smoke rises from buildings following an Israeli air strike on Gaza City. Photo: AFP

Egypt expressed "profound regret" at the end of the 10-day period of calm and said it will continue trying to secure a lasting truce.

In a televised address, Mr Netanyahu said he was "determined to continue the campaign with all means and as is needed."

"We will not stop until we secure full security and quiet for the residents of the south and all citizens of Israel.''

He likened Palestinian group Hamas to the jihadist group Islamic State, calling them a "branch of the same tree".

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