ANKARA

Israeli jetfighters on Saturday destroyed a 14-story residential building in central Gaza amid continued fighting with Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza, Anadolu has learnt.

Several other buildings were also targeted by the Israeli warplanes across the blockaded strip including residential buildings and public facilities.

Iyad al-Bozom, spokesman of the Gaza-based Interior Ministry, said Israeli warplanes carried out hundreds of airstrikes on different targets across Gaza.

According to Hamas, its surprise attack was in response to the desecration of Al-Aqsa Mosque and increased settler violence. It said it fired rockets and captured many Israelis.

In response, the Israeli army initiated a "large-scale operation to defend Israeli civilians against the combined attack."

At least 198 Palestinians have so far been killed, while Israeli sources put their death toll at 150.