THERE was no let-up in Israeli attacks on Palestinians in Gaza today as they ignored Monday’s United Nations security council demand for a ceasefire. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the council resolution had emboldened Hamas to reject a separate proposal for a ceasefire and hostage release.

Mr Netanyahu claims Israel can dismantle Hamas and return scores of hostages if it expands its ground offensive to the southern city of Rafah, where over half of Gaza’s population has sought refuge, many in crowded tent camps.

Hamas says it will hold onto the hostages until Israel agrees to a more permanent ceasefire, withdraws its forces from Gaza and releases hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. 

Hamas said late on Monday that it has rejected a recent proposal that fell short of those demands.

Mr Netanyahu said the statement from Hamas was “unfortunate testimony to the damage of the security council decision.

“Israel will not surrender to Hamas’s delusional demands and will continue to act to achieve all the goals of the war: releasing all the hostages, destroying Hamas’s military and governing capabilities and ensuring that Gaza will never again be a threat to Israel.”

Security council resolutions are usually considered binding but the United States is seemingly working on the basis that this is not the case with Monday’s vote.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby argued that the resolution was “non-binding” and had no impact at all on Israel and its ability to continue to go after Hamas.

He said: “It does not represent a change at all in our policy.” 

Israeli forces have continued to kill Palestinians throughout Gaza since the vote.

Reporting for Al Jazeera from Rafah, journalist Hani Mahmoud said: “What we’re seeing on the ground right now is the Israeli military completely ignoring the UN security council resolution.

“They have also continued to operate aggressively around public facilities, mainly health facilities.”

“Most, if not all, of those facilities in the north have been pushed completely out of service. They’ve been transformed from places of healing into graveyards.”

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israeli forces have killed at least 32,414 Palestinians with about two thirds of the dead being women and children.

Israel invaded Gaza following an October 7 attack when Hamas-led fighters stormed across the border. In the assault about 1,200 people were killed and 250 others were taken hostage. Hamas is still believed to be holding about 100 hostages.