Israel consulted with US on Gaza attack: White House

'All those who seek to terrorize not just Israel, but also the United States of America, will see a price to pay,' says spokesperson Karoline Leavitt

WASHINGTON 

Israel consulted with the US on its latest airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, the White House confirmed Monday.

"The Trump administration and the White House were consulted by the Israelis on their attacks in Gaza tonight," spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told Fox News.

Her remarks came after the Israeli army said it has conducted airstrikes in Gaza, the largest since a ceasefire with the Palestinian group Hamas took effect on Jan. 19.

"As President (Donald) Trump has made it clear: Hamas, the Houthis, Iran, all those who seek to terrorize not just Israel, but also the United States of America, will see a price to pay.

"All hell will break loose," she said.

Local media, citing the Palestinian civil emergency service, said at least 80 people have been killed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have instructed the army to take "strong action" against Hamas in Gaza, the Prime Ministry's Office said.

"This follows Hamas's repeated refusal to release our hostages, as well as its rejection of all of the proposals it has received from US Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and from the mediators," it said in a statement.