Gaza residents spend night in terror, darkness

Gaza: The 2.3 million Palestinians who live in the besieged Gaza Strip spent the night in terror and darkness as Israel intensified air attacks and cut off power to the coastal enclave.

The Israeli attacks flattened residential buildings in giant explosions, including a 14-story tower that held dozens of apartments as well as Hamas offices in central Gaza City. A five-story building in Gaza City was also reduced to ashes, according to The Associated Press news agency.

Meanwhile Jazeera reported of a statement by Israel’s Security Council that had decided to halt the supply of electricity, fuel and goods into Gaza and approved steps to bring about the “destruction of the military and governmental capabilities of Hamas".