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Israel continued one of its biggest ever air assaults on Gaza today, bringing the overall number of Palestinians killed to around 290, amid indications that a large-scale ground incursion was being planned against Hamas militants.

As the United Nations Security Council demanded an immediate end to the fighting, Israel's Cabinet instead appeared to be expanding its campaign against the territory's Islamist rulers, authorising a call-up of at least 6,500 reservists and sending infantry and armoured units to the Gaza border.

The large-scale air strikes - numbering 250 so far in little over 24 hours - have so far killed around 290, mostly Palestinian police officers, but also civilians including children. Hamas has pledged suicide attacks against Israeli civilians in retaliation.

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It is Hamas’ actions that have precipitated the current, inevitable, crisis

Richard Beeston, Foreign Editor

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In its raids today, Israel targeted one of Hamas' main security compounds in Gaza, the Al-Asqa television station, a prison and a mosque. Around 40 tunnels along the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt, which Hamas uses for weapons smuggling, were also bombed. Egyptian border police said officers fired in the air to prevent "dozens" of civilians from forcing their way over the border.

Amid growing international concern at the violence, David Miliband, Britain's Foreign Secretary, echoed the UN in saying that a ceasefire was required to stop the “massive loss of life” in the territory. In a strong statement, he added that the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza was "deeply disturbing".

The Jewish State said, however, that it had no choice but to launch its offensive after Hamas blitzed its southern towns of Ashkelon and Sderot with scores of rocket attacks following the breakdown of an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire between the sides last week.

Tzipi Livni, the Israeli Foreign Minister who will stand as the ruling Kadima party's candidate to be Prime Minister in elections to be held next February, said: “I expect the international community, including the entire Arab world, to send a clear message to Hamas: ’It is your fault. It’s your responsibility. You’re the one who’s being condemned.’”

Speaking to NBC’s Meet the Press, she continued: “’You (Hamas) are not going to get legitimacy from the international community this way. The responsibility for the lives of civilians in the Gaza Strip is in your hands."

Ehud Olmert, the Israeli Prime Minister, refused to clarify when his military's operation would end. Speaking to his Cabinet, he added that the situation in southern Israel was "liable to last longer than we are able to foresee at this time".

However, Gaza militants scored another victory in their bombardment of southern Israel today, firing two rockets further than ever before into the country. The rockets, among 150 launched, landed close to the largest city in the region, Ashdod, some 23 miles from Gaza. Dozens more were also fired.

The targeting of Ashdod will confirm Israel’s concern that militants are capable of putting major cities within the range of increasingly sophisticated rockets. No serious injuries were reported in today's attacks.

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