Death Toll in Gaza Nears 850

VOA News  11 January 2009

 

Palestinians walk in front of a building destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City, Saturday, Jan.10, 2009

Gaza medical officials say some 850 Palestinians have died in the Gaza Strip as Israel's military offensive is in its 16th day.  Witnesses say Israeli tanks and warplanes pounded the outskirts of Gaza City early Sunday while Hamas militants fired anti-tank missiles at the advancing forces.  Exiled Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal, speaking in Damascus Saturday, accused Israel of perpetrating a "holocaust" in the Gaza Strip.  He said the Israeli offensive in Gaza has eliminated the possibility of lasting peace between Israel and the Arab world. The comments come as Hamas and Israel continue to disregard international appeals for a cease-fire in Gaza.   Isreal: 'Will Intensify Offensive'

Israeli artillery shells explode over Gaza Strip, 10 Jan 2009

Israel's military on Saturday issued a warning to residents of the Gaza Strip that it intends to intensify its offensive against Palestinian militants, who continued to launch rockets into the Jewish state. Aircraft dropped leaflets warning that the Israeli army will continue attacking tunnels, weapons caches and terrorists with increasing force throughout the Gaza Strip. Gaza medics say about half of the dead are civilians. Israel says it is not targeting civilians and has accused Hamas gunmen of launching rockets from populated areas. Thirteen Israelis have been killed, including 10 soldiers, along with three civilians hit by rocket fire.  Diplomacy Falls Short

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak (r) meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, to discuss the crisis in Gaza, at the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, 10 Jan 2009

On the diplomatic front, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarek met in Cairo Saturday with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. After the meeting, Mr. Abbas, whose Fatah Party opposes Hamas, called on Hamas leaders to accept an Egyptian-brokered cease-fire.  Hamas also sent a delegation to Egypt, but it has vowed not to accept a cease-fire plan that does not end Israel's offensive in Gaza, and end its blockade of the territory.  Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.