BAGHDAD, March 18 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's Foreign Ministry condemned Israel's renewed airstrikes in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, calling them "brutal."

In a statement, the ministry expressed Iraq's strongest condemnation of the Israeli airstrikes against "defenseless civilians" in Gaza, which it said resulted in the deaths and injuries of hundreds of Palestinians, the majority of whom it said were women and children.

"These aggressive acts targeting innocent civilians constitute a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law, confirming Israel's continued policy of repression and aggression against the Palestinian people," the statement added.

The ministry called on the international community to take immediate action to end the violations and protect Palestinian civilians from ongoing attacks.

Israeli forces conducted airstrikes across Gaza early on Tuesday, killing at least 413 people, and vowed to escalate the offensive unless Hamas releases hostages held in the enclave.

The strikes broke a ceasefire that had lasted nearly two months, occurring amid indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding a potential truce, which could include halting hostilities and securing the release of remaining Israeli hostages. Enditem

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