GAZA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Hamas on Tuesday accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of "resuming aggression and a war of genocide" against civilians in the Gaza Strip, holding Israel fully responsible for the repercussions of the renewed escalation.

"Netanyahu and his government bear full responsibility for the consequences of the treacherous aggression on Gaza, which targets defenseless civilians under a suffocating blockade and a systematic policy of starvation," Hamas said in a press statement.

Hamas accused Netanyahu's government of deliberately overturning the ceasefire agreement, thereby exposing prisoners in Gaza to an uncertain fate.

Hamas urged international mediators to "hold the Israeli occupation fully accountable for violating the agreement" and stressed the need to "immediately stop the aggression."

The movement also called on the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to "fulfill their historical responsibility by supporting the steadfastness and resistance of the Palestinian people and taking urgent steps to lift the siege on Gaza."

Hamas further appealed to the United Nations and the UN Security Council to "convene urgently to adopt a resolution obligating Israel to immediately halt its aggression and implement Resolution 2735, which calls for an end to hostilities and a full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip."

The accusations came after the Israeli army launched a series of intensive airstrikes on Gaza, marking the first significant military action since the ceasefire agreement took effect on Jan. 19.

According to Palestinian medical and security sources, the Israeli army has killed over 200 Palestinians in the coastal enclave. Enditem

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