ANKARA

Algeria on Saturday condemned Israeli airstrikes on Gaza that were launched after an offensive by Hamas, describing the attacks as "blatant violation of all international laws."

"Algeria strongly condemns the brutal air strikes by the Zionist [Israeli] occupation forces in the Gaza Strip, and which caused many casualties, including children and women," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry reiterated the country's "full solidarity with the Palestinian people," and called on the international community, including the UN Security Council, "to take an urgent action to end the repeated and systematic criminal attacks."

Hamas launched Operation Al Aqsa Flood, saying its surprise, multifront attack was in response to the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence. It said it fired rockets and captured many Israelis. Hundreds of Israeli settlers forced their way into the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque complex during the recent Jewish holiday of Sukkot.

The Israeli army, in turn, said it initiated Operation Swords of Iron in Gaza Strip, a "large-scale operation to defend Israeli civilians against the combined attack."

Medical sources in Gaza said at least 232 Palestinians were killed in Israeli air attacks, while Israeli authorities put their death toll at 250.