LIVE UPDATES: Abbas says Israel is waging war on all Palestinians

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Hamas says Israel refuses to negotiate a cease-fire; Netanyahu to Merkel and Kerry: Hamas committing war crimes; rockets intercepted over cities across Israel; Gaza death toll reaches 51.

By Haaretz | Jul. 9, 2014

The Israeli air force expanded its offensive against Hamas militants in Gaza early Wednesday, as rocket fire on Israel's south, center and coastal plain continued.

Israel has attacked hundreds of targets in Gaza on Wednesday and more than 180 rockets have been fired from Gaza during the same period, according to Israel Defense Forces estimates. Long-range rockets have been launched at Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and as far north as Hof Hacarmel Regional Council, near Haifa. Iron Dome interceptor missiles have in the last 24 hours intercepted dozens of rockets over Israeli cities.



IDF strikes on Gaza overnight targeted some 120 underground launchers and 10 tunnels, a naval police base and domestic security offices, and the homes of eight senior Hamas member which the army says served as command centers and were used in coordinating the rocket fire on Israel's south.

A top Islamic Jihad militant was killed in the strikes, as well as five other Palestinians. Two more Palestinians, including an elderly woman, were killed as the strikes continued on Wednesday.

Click here for Tuesday's live blog.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.603913