Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that the country may carry out further attacks against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.

Netanyahu said on Tuesday that in the last 24 hours, the Israeli military had destroyed major Hamas installations on a scale not seen since the end of the military operation in Gaza four years ago.

He said they are prepared to do a lot more to defend the people and the state of Israel.

He made the remarks after cutting short his trip to the United States due to the escalating violence.

There was information from Hamas that the two sides had agreed on a ceasefire, and the violence had halted.

But Israeli media quoted a government source on Tuesday as saying that no ceasefire agreement has been reached and the military can resume attacks anytime.

The Israeli military has mobilized tanks along the boundary with Gaza and called up reserves.

NHK