The Israel Defense Forces launched fresh strikes on Gaza early Sunday local time as violence in the region continued overnight, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning of a long and difficult war ahead. Fears of a wider regional conflict escalated with Hezbollah, Lebanon’s militant group and largest political party, claiming responsibility for attacks on three targets within the Israeli-controlled Shebaa Farms area “in solidarity” with Hamas. Saturday’s land, air and sea attacks by Hamas — which took Israel’s vaunted security agencies by surprise — came after months of rising tensions over Israeli occupation and violence at the al-Aqsa Mosque, a disputed holy site in Jerusalem. At least 250 people have been killed in Israel, while the number of deaths in Gaza stands at 313, according to local authorities.