Israeli warplanes struck by air-to-ground rockets early on Monday several buildings into the Islamic University of Gaza, witnesses and security sources said.

The residents in Remal neighborhood in western Gaza City said they heard four huge explosions that wrecked the whole area, and white and gray pillars of smoke were seen coming out of the building.

Several buildings, which surround the Islamic University were badly damaged, said the residents, adding that another college run by the Islamic University in southern Gaza City was hit too.

Israeli drones and F16 warplanes still hover over Gaza City. The buzz of the drones and war fighters was strongly heard shortly before the four airstrikes were carried out.

The residents said that several buildings at the female campus into the Islamic University compound that include chemical labs were completely destroyed. No injuries were reported.

Shortly before midnight, two Palestinian civilians, including a child were killed and four wounded in an Israeli airstrike on northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia, medics and witnesses said.

On Sunday night and on Monday predawn, the Israeli air forces intensified its airstrikes on dozens of targets belong to Hamas movement, including security installations, metal workshops and institutions.

Medics in Gaza said that more than 300 Palestinians were killed and over 1000 wounded during unprecedented intensive Israeli airstrikes on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip since Saturday morning.

(Xinhua News Agency December 29, 2008)