Tel Aviv/Gaza - The Israel Air Force bombed Gaza again Monday morning, hitting 40 targets of the Islamic Hamas movement that rules the area, an Israeli army spokesman said.

More than 300 Palestinians have been killed since the massive air operation started Saturday, just over a week after a fragile, six-month truce between Israel and Hamas formally ended.

Since the truce ended December 19, militant factions in Gaza, notably the Islamic Jihad and Hamas, fired scores of rockets and mortar rounds at Israel.

One of the targets struck by Israeli bombs early Monday was a building of the Islamic University in Gaza and a guesthouse of the de facto Hamas government. A building near the residence of Hamas leader Ismail Haniya was also reported hit.

Israeli media reported Monday, quoting Palestinian sources, that an Israeli soldier held captive in Gaza by Hamas for more than two years, Gilad Shalit, was also injured in one of the attacks.

"Gilad Shalit is an asset for Hamas and the organization will do everything to keep him alive," said an Israeli security official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

"Israel holds Hamas responsible for his well-being," he said. (dpa)