New Delhi - India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday strongly condemned Israeli bombings of the Gaza Strip and expressed hope that the world community will work together to restore peace in the region.

In his first public statement on the ongoing attacks, Singh said India strongly condemns the incidents and regrets the loss of many innocent lives.

"It is our hope that the international community would get together and help restore peace in the region as soon as possible," Singh told a meeting in the southern city of Chennai.

Singh also declared India's "unstinted and unwavering support for the just cause of the Palestinians".

Medical sources in Gaza have said over 700 people, half of them women and children, were killed since Israel launched its military offensive on December 27. More than 3,100 people were wounded in the attacks. (dpa)