Gaza Crisis: Netanyahu to 'Resist' International Pressure as UN Warns of Potential War Crimes

Israel will resist foreign pressure to bring a halt to its bombing campaign against Hamas and the Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said.

"No international pressure will prevent us operating with full force against a terrorist group that calls for our destruction," he said.

Following over 1,000 air strikes in the coastal enclave, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said she had "serious doubt" that the Israeli offensive complied with international law.

"We have received deeply disturbing reports that many of the civilian casualties, including of children, occurred as a result of strikes on homes," she said.

"Such reports raise serious doubt about whether the Israeli strikes have been in accordance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law."

Israel has destroyed more than 120 Palestinian homes in the enclave under the justification that Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants were occupying the properties.

However, Pillay stated that there are strict conditions on targeted strikes of civilian homes, even if they are being used for military purposes.

"Any attack must be proportionate, offer a definite military advantage in the prevailing circumstances at the time, and precautions must be taken," Pillay said.

The Palestinian death toll has risen by more than 100, including dozens of civilians and over 20 children, according to Palestinian medical sources.

The Palestinian health ministry says that, in addition to those killed, 675 people have been injured in the Israeli strikes.

President of the Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas suggested that Israel was to launch a ground offensive "in hours" before US President Barack Obama intervened to offer to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.