KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA accused Israel of using 'disproportionate' military force in its offensive against Hamas targets in Gaza and warned that the campaign risked causing a humanitarian catastrophe.

'Malaysia deplores the disproportionate use of military power by Israel against the people of Gaza,' Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said in a statement late Sunday.

'A humanitarian catastrophe must be avoided at all costs. There must be an immediate halt to the violence,' he added. Mr Abdullah also urged the United Nations to take action to establish peace in Gaza.

'The ceasefire must be restored immediately and respected by all concerned,' he said.

Malaysia has been a traditional friend of the Palestinian people and has voiced support for the creation a viable Palestinian state but does not have diplomatic ties with Israel.

The massive air raids, which began on Saturday, have killed more than 300 people so far.

The deadly blitz has also wounded some 600 people. Violence had spiralled after a six-month truce between Israel and Hamas expired on Dec 19.

Hamas has responded to the fighting - some of the bloodiest in the decades-old conflict - by firing more than 90 rockets and mortar rounds at Israel, killing one man and wounding some 20 people. -- AFP

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