Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof has refused to condemn the upsurge in violence in Gaza and Tuesday night’s bombardment by Israel, which killed several hundred people.

Schoof told MPs on Tuesday that foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp has raised Dutch concerns with Israel about the breach of the ceasefire. However, the prime minister would go no further than to say the Netherlands is “extremely concerned” about the situation.

During the debate, GroenLinks-PvdA leader Frans Timmermans asked the prime minister why it is “so difficult” to condemn the bombing on Monday night. Schoof, he said, is giving Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “free rein”.

D66, the SP, Volt and pro-animal PvdD also called on the cabinet to release a stronger statement.

Schoof said on social media that Israel and Hamas must restart the ceasefire, which, he said, is the only way to ensure the remaining Israeli hostages are released and to restart emergency aid to Gaza.

He also wrote of the “worrying and sad reports from Gaza” about the deaths. His reaction prompted GroenLinks-PvdA MP Kati Piri to say on social media: “The dead victims are due to the Israeli bombardment, not a natural disaster.”

“It would be extremely refreshing if this government would say for once that it is Israel which broke the ceasefire with a massive bombardment and is pushing peace further away than ever,” said D66 parliamentarian Jan Paternotte.

The Israeli army halted all shipments of emergency supplies to Gaza two weeks ago and has also shut down the supply of electricity.

Netanyahu said on Wednesday that it had “resumed combat in full force” and that this is “just the beginning.” According to the BBC, a further 13 people were killed on Tuesday night.

The Israeli bombardment prompted several demonstrations in the Netherlands, including one at Amsterdam’s central station.