Israel threat to step up Gaza raids

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It launched a second wave of attacks by F-16 bombers on Sunday morning, hours after initial airstrikes killed at least 230 people and wounded nearly 400 in the Hamas-ruled territory.

Hamas said all of its security installations were hit, threatened to resume suicide attacks, and sent at least 50 rockets crashing into Israeli border communities, according to the Israeli military's count. One Israeli was killed and at least six people were wounded in the rocket attacks.

The strikes caused widespread panic and confusion in Gaza, as black clouds of smoke rose above the territory, ruled by Hamas for the past 18 months. Some of the Israeli missiles struck in densely populated areas as children were leaving school, and women rushed into the streets frantically looking for their children.

The offensive began eight days after a six-month truce between Israel and the militants expired. During that time, the military says, rocket and mortar squads have fired 200 projectiles at Israeli targets, and in recent days, Israeli leaders had been voicing strong threats to launch a major offensive.

Israeli defence Minister Ehud Barak said Israel would expand the operation if necessary. "There is a time for calm and there is a time for fighting, and now is the time for fighting," he told a news conference. He did not say whether a ground offensive was planned.

Asked earlier if Hamas political leaders might be targeted next, military spokeswoman Major Avital Leibovich said: "Any Hamas target is a target."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the Vatican, the UN and special Mideast envoy Tony Blair all called for an immediate restoration of calm, and the Arab League scheduled an emergency meeting Sunday to discuss the situation.

White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said: "Hamas's continued rocket attacks into Israel must cease if the violence is to stop. The United States urges Israel to avoid civilian casualties as it targets Hamas in Gaza."

In Gaza City's main security compound, bodies of more than a dozen uniformed Hamas police lay on the ground. The Gaza police chief was among those killed.