Israel unleashes bloody Gaza bombardment, killing hundreds and breaking truce

Israel killed more than 300 Palestinians in one of the bloodiest bombardments of the Gaza Strip early on Tuesday, unilaterally ending its ceasefire with Hamas.

Air strikes began hitting all five Gaza municipalities from north to south at around 3am local time (12am GMT). Footage broadcast by Al Jazeera showed children and babies among those killed and wounded.

At least 254 people were killed and 440 wounded, according to a preliminary death toll by the Palestinian health ministry. Health sources told Al Jazeera there are more than 350 killed. 

"The death toll [is] steadily rising since the beginning of the onslaught overnight, which coincided with the 18th day of the holy month of Ramadan," said the health ministry. 

Yosri al-Ghar, a survivor of the overnight bombardment, said the air strikes killed his pregnant sister, her husband and three of their children. Their fourth child is in serious condition.

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