1 jan 2009
New Year's Day marked the sixth consecutive day of Israel's air and artillary strikes on the Gaza Strip. The day's violence left at least 21 Palestinians dead, including 11 children and nine women.
Medical sources in Gaza said the death toll increased to 418 and the number of injured to about 2,100 by the end of Thursday, roughly 250 of them injured critically.
A targeted strike on a packed apartment building, the home of a prominent Hamas leader, left the leader dead along with 13 of his family members who were living in the same four-story home. The building was demolished after being struck by two Israeli missiles on Thursday afternoon.
Israeli warplanes continued to attack homes and headquarters of the Palestinian government. Aircraft destroyed the house of Hamas leader Nizar Rayan, killing him and his family.
Later, jets fired on targets in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City and a metal workshop nearby. Purported sites for armed groups' projectile launches were hit, as well, west of Gaza City. One of the strikes there killed six and injured numerous others, witnesses said.
Meanwhile, renewed targeting of the southern Rafah border with Egypt left several wounded.
Israel also launched several raids throughout New Year's Day on the headquarters of the Palestinian Legislative Council in Gaza City and the Ministries of Justice, Education and Civil Defense within the Palestinian government.
Also targeted on Thursday were sites in northern Gaza, where an air raid leveled the School of Applied Sciences, a Palestinian community college. No injuries were reported in that particular attack on an educational institution, which an Israeli spokesperson maintained was "a Hamas school."
Separate missiles targeted a police car, a printing center in Gaza City and an armed group near the Khaled bin Walid School at Nusseirat Refugee Camp in central Gaza. A house belonging to Abu Ahmad Tawfiq was among two destroyed in the refugee camp, causing a number of injuries.
An attack on a group of fighters east of Gaza City was survived by all parties, who escaped without injury, according to a statement sent to Ma'an. The same group later managed to launch an assortment of rockets and projectiles at the Israeli city of Kfar Azza.
Other factions continued pounding southern Israel with rockets, where projectiles hit Ashkelon, Beersheva and Sderot. No Israeli injuries were immediately reported on Thursday other than "shock."
On a separate note, Israel announced that it would permit some 400 foreigners living in Gaza to exit the war zone on Friday, sources said.
As for the other 1.5 million Palestinians living in the besieged coastal strip, no evidence indicated that the onslaught will end anytime soon as residents are preparing for a ground invasion over the weekend, which many say is imminent.
Medical sources in Gaza said the death toll increased to 418 and the number of injured to about 2,100 by the end of Thursday, roughly 250 of them injured critically.
A targeted strike on a packed apartment building, the home of a prominent Hamas leader, left the leader dead along with 13 of his family members who were living in the same four-story home. The building was demolished after being struck by two Israeli missiles on Thursday afternoon.
Israeli warplanes continued to attack homes and headquarters of the Palestinian government. Aircraft destroyed the house of Hamas leader Nizar Rayan, killing him and his family.
Later, jets fired on targets in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City and a metal workshop nearby. Purported sites for armed groups' projectile launches were hit, as well, west of Gaza City. One of the strikes there killed six and injured numerous others, witnesses said.
Meanwhile, renewed targeting of the southern Rafah border with Egypt left several wounded.
Israel also launched several raids throughout New Year's Day on the headquarters of the Palestinian Legislative Council in Gaza City and the Ministries of Justice, Education and Civil Defense within the Palestinian government.
Also targeted on Thursday were sites in northern Gaza, where an air raid leveled the School of Applied Sciences, a Palestinian community college. No injuries were reported in that particular attack on an educational institution, which an Israeli spokesperson maintained was "a Hamas school."
Separate missiles targeted a police car, a printing center in Gaza City and an armed group near the Khaled bin Walid School at Nusseirat Refugee Camp in central Gaza. A house belonging to Abu Ahmad Tawfiq was among two destroyed in the refugee camp, causing a number of injuries.
An attack on a group of fighters east of Gaza City was survived by all parties, who escaped without injury, according to a statement sent to Ma'an. The same group later managed to launch an assortment of rockets and projectiles at the Israeli city of Kfar Azza.
Other factions continued pounding southern Israel with rockets, where projectiles hit Ashkelon, Beersheva and Sderot. No Israeli injuries were immediately reported on Thursday other than "shock."
On a separate note, Israel announced that it would permit some 400 foreigners living in Gaza to exit the war zone on Friday, sources said.
As for the other 1.5 million Palestinians living in the besieged coastal strip, no evidence indicated that the onslaught will end anytime soon as residents are preparing for a ground invasion over the weekend, which many say is imminent.
One activist was killed as Israeli troops entered the Gaza Strip east of Gaza City, but retreated shortly after they clashed with Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades.
The Hamas-wing reported that Israeli troops entered the Strip briefly in the early hours of Thursday morning. The Brigades exchanged fire with the troops, who seemed to retreat after the exchange.
Reports do not indicate that this invasion was part of the threatened Israeli ground invasion intot the Gaza Strip. Sources said the incursion was similar to those conducted before the airstrikes began, and occurred near the border wall.
The Hamas-wing reported that Israeli troops entered the Strip briefly in the early hours of Thursday morning. The Brigades exchanged fire with the troops, who seemed to retreat after the exchange.
Reports do not indicate that this invasion was part of the threatened Israeli ground invasion intot the Gaza Strip. Sources said the incursion was similar to those conducted before the airstrikes began, and occurred near the border wall.
The Gaza death toll continues to climb as injured Gazans die of their wounds and fresh airstrikes claim more lives.
Overnight Wednesday medical sources reported the death of Mahmoud Abu Najal, who died of his wounds in an Egyptian hospital.
The death toll of Israel's Operation Cast Lead is now 400, with more than 2,000 injured since Saturday.
Overnight Wednesday medical sources reported the death of Mahmoud Abu Najal, who died of his wounds in an Egyptian hospital.
The death toll of Israel's Operation Cast Lead is now 400, with more than 2,000 injured since Saturday.
Dozens of projectiles landed on Israeli soil before midnight on Thursday, Israeli sources said.
The launches were the response of Palestinian fighters to the sixth straight day of Israeli shelling and air assaults on the Gaza Strip that hit about 50 sites on Thursday.
At 11am the Al-Qassam Brigades launched a projectile that reached as far as the Netsarim airbase on the edge of the Negev, southeast of Beersheva.
Other groups claimed responsibility for several attacks on Israeli targets Thursday:
Al-Quds Brigades
Islamic Jihad's military wing launched two projectiles at Sderot and Kfar Azza early Thrusday morning.
Al-Aqsa Brigades
Fatah's military wing in Gaza launched two projectiles at Sderot and western Negev shortly after 7am Thursday and another one before dawn. Later, the armed group said it targeted two more Israeli towns near the border with Gaza. It also said that some of its members escaped death in an Israeli airstrike in eastern Gaza City.
National Resistance Brigades
The armed group affiliated with the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) launched two projectiles just after midnight on Thursday morning.
Al-Mujahedin Brigades
The armed group linked to Fatah launched two projectiles at the Israeli monitored Sufa crossing point Thursday morning.
"Eagles of Palestine"
The previously unknown armed group first claimed to have launched projectiles at Sderot on 30 December. On Thursday they claimed the launch of two more projectiles, one at Sderot and one at Kfar Azza.
An-Nasser Brigades
The Brigades affiliated with the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) launched two projectiles at the Karem Shalom crossing and the Nerim Kibbutz east of Khan Younis in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The launches were the response of Palestinian fighters to the sixth straight day of Israeli shelling and air assaults on the Gaza Strip that hit about 50 sites on Thursday.
At 11am the Al-Qassam Brigades launched a projectile that reached as far as the Netsarim airbase on the edge of the Negev, southeast of Beersheva.
Other groups claimed responsibility for several attacks on Israeli targets Thursday:
Al-Quds Brigades
Islamic Jihad's military wing launched two projectiles at Sderot and Kfar Azza early Thrusday morning.
Al-Aqsa Brigades
Fatah's military wing in Gaza launched two projectiles at Sderot and western Negev shortly after 7am Thursday and another one before dawn. Later, the armed group said it targeted two more Israeli towns near the border with Gaza. It also said that some of its members escaped death in an Israeli airstrike in eastern Gaza City.
National Resistance Brigades
The armed group affiliated with the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) launched two projectiles just after midnight on Thursday morning.
Al-Mujahedin Brigades
The armed group linked to Fatah launched two projectiles at the Israeli monitored Sufa crossing point Thursday morning.
"Eagles of Palestine"
The previously unknown armed group first claimed to have launched projectiles at Sderot on 30 December. On Thursday they claimed the launch of two more projectiles, one at Sderot and one at Kfar Azza.
An-Nasser Brigades
The Brigades affiliated with the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) launched two projectiles at the Karem Shalom crossing and the Nerim Kibbutz east of Khan Younis in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The northern Gaza Strip is being steadily bombarded with missiles from Israeli warplanes Thursday, in the sixth straight day of strikes.
12:05pm Israeli missiles targeted two homes in the densely populated An-Nusseirat refugee camp, dozens have been reported injured.
11:30am Israeli warplanes injured 20 as they bombed the home of Abu Mousa Ad-Diry in the As-Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City.
6:00am The de facto government Ministries of Justice and Education buildings were demolished.
5:00am The headquarters of the Legislative Council was destroyed in Israeli missile strikes.
4:00am Israeli warplanes targeted several homes in the Gaza City area.
12:05pm Israeli missiles targeted two homes in the densely populated An-Nusseirat refugee camp, dozens have been reported injured.
11:30am Israeli warplanes injured 20 as they bombed the home of Abu Mousa Ad-Diry in the As-Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City.
6:00am The de facto government Ministries of Justice and Education buildings were demolished.
5:00am The headquarters of the Legislative Council was destroyed in Israeli missile strikes.
4:00am Israeli warplanes targeted several homes in the Gaza City area.
After more than a month of near media blackout Israel announced Thursday its decision to slowly allow foreign journalists into Gaza.
Starting 11 November members of the international press reported that they were being turned away from Erez crossing.
A journalist for a major international news organization, speaking anonymously on Monday said that he had been attempting to enter Gaza consistently since 9 November and was denied entry each time.
After one week of non-access for the international press, media outlets condemned the Israeli policy as an unprecedented violation of press freedom. The Foreign Press Association (FPA) submitted a petition to the Israeli High Court.
Israeli officials cited the "volatile security situation in Gaza" as a risk to the safety of the international press as justification for the blackout.
While a few members of the press were in fact in Gaza, it was only because they were either Palestinians with Gazan ID cards unable to leave, or internationals who insisted on remaining in the Strip. Only a small handful of reporters remained in the Strip, making information on the Israeli strikes throughout November and early December scarce.
Pressure to allow foreign journalists into Gaza increased as Israel began Operation Cast Lead, which has so far killed more than 400 Palestinians, at least 15% of which are said to be children.
On Thursday Israel announced that it would allow eight journalists at a time through the Erez crossing "when it is open." It has been totally closed since 27 December when heavy airstrikes began.
According to the Israeli press, the court ordered FPA to compile a narrow list of reporters wishing to enter the area by Thursday morning.
Starting 11 November members of the international press reported that they were being turned away from Erez crossing.
A journalist for a major international news organization, speaking anonymously on Monday said that he had been attempting to enter Gaza consistently since 9 November and was denied entry each time.
After one week of non-access for the international press, media outlets condemned the Israeli policy as an unprecedented violation of press freedom. The Foreign Press Association (FPA) submitted a petition to the Israeli High Court.
Israeli officials cited the "volatile security situation in Gaza" as a risk to the safety of the international press as justification for the blackout.
While a few members of the press were in fact in Gaza, it was only because they were either Palestinians with Gazan ID cards unable to leave, or internationals who insisted on remaining in the Strip. Only a small handful of reporters remained in the Strip, making information on the Israeli strikes throughout November and early December scarce.
Pressure to allow foreign journalists into Gaza increased as Israel began Operation Cast Lead, which has so far killed more than 400 Palestinians, at least 15% of which are said to be children.
On Thursday Israel announced that it would allow eight journalists at a time through the Erez crossing "when it is open." It has been totally closed since 27 December when heavy airstrikes began.
According to the Israeli press, the court ordered FPA to compile a narrow list of reporters wishing to enter the area by Thursday morning.
Abu Laila denounces Israeli shelling of Legislative Council building in Gaza
Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Qais Abdul Karim (Abu Laila) with the Political Bureau affiliated to the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) denounced the Israeli attacks that targeted the headquarters of the Palestinian Legislative Council in Gaza.
Abu Laila made the condemnation during a sit-in organized by the parliamentary blocks of the PLC in Ramallah. The group marched into Ramallah's city center where they began their protest.
"The shelling of the Palestinian Legislative Council building is a violation of international conventions," said Abu Laila. He explained that the action confirms Israel does not care about international norms or conventions, adding his condemnation of other states who are complicit in the Israeli actions.
Islamic Jihad fighter killed in Israeli strike on central Gaza
Jamil Dardasawi, affiliate of Islamic Jihad's armed wing, was killed in an Israel airstrike on central Gaza on Thursday.
Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) Qais Abdul Karim (Abu Laila) with the Political Bureau affiliated to the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) denounced the Israeli attacks that targeted the headquarters of the Palestinian Legislative Council in Gaza.
Abu Laila made the condemnation during a sit-in organized by the parliamentary blocks of the PLC in Ramallah. The group marched into Ramallah's city center where they began their protest.
"The shelling of the Palestinian Legislative Council building is a violation of international conventions," said Abu Laila. He explained that the action confirms Israel does not care about international norms or conventions, adding his condemnation of other states who are complicit in the Israeli actions.
Islamic Jihad fighter killed in Israeli strike on central Gaza
Jamil Dardasawi, affiliate of Islamic Jihad's armed wing, was killed in an Israel airstrike on central Gaza on Thursday.
neighborhood, leading to a massive number of killed and injured; among the dead appears to be Rayan's entire family.
Israeli TV said that the Hamas-affiliated "bank of targets" includes Hamas leaders and their homes. Another Israeli source claimed that secondary explosions at the house were caused by stores of weapons Rayan was maintaining.
Local witnesses told Ma'an that Rayan had not evacuated his house despite a warning from the Israeli military.
The head of Emergency and Ambulance Services within the de facto Ministry of Health, Mu'wieyah Hasaneen, affirmed that 14 bodies of the killed were members of Rayan's family.
Rayan was a prominent Hamas political leader, closely affiliated with its armed wing, the Al-Qasam Brigades.
He was also a lecturer at Gaza's Islamic University in Gaza City, where he "ranked among Hamas's top-five decision-makers as the liaison between the group's military and political wing," according to Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz.
The newspaper also described Rayan as "an outspoken advocate for renewing suicide bombings in Israel."
Israeli TV said that the Hamas-affiliated "bank of targets" includes Hamas leaders and their homes. Another Israeli source claimed that secondary explosions at the house were caused by stores of weapons Rayan was maintaining.
Local witnesses told Ma'an that Rayan had not evacuated his house despite a warning from the Israeli military.
The head of Emergency and Ambulance Services within the de facto Ministry of Health, Mu'wieyah Hasaneen, affirmed that 14 bodies of the killed were members of Rayan's family.
Rayan was a prominent Hamas political leader, closely affiliated with its armed wing, the Al-Qasam Brigades.
He was also a lecturer at Gaza's Islamic University in Gaza City, where he "ranked among Hamas's top-five decision-makers as the liaison between the group's military and political wing," according to Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz.
The newspaper also described Rayan as "an outspoken advocate for renewing suicide bombings in Israel."
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert visited the central Israeli town of Beersheva on Thursday, where he told Israeli press that "no war was declared in Gaza."
"But it's clear that it is impossible to continue accepting a reality where hundreds of thousands of Israelis are living in continuous fear," the prime minister said.
He said that the Israeli military hopes to achieve its goals quickly, and that Israel will deal with Hamas "with an iron fist," despite that "they handle themselves with silk gloves."
During Olmert's tour of Beersheva on Thursday, he held a meeting with residents, met with the mayor and visited sites struck by projectiles.
Message to Security Council from the UN secretary-general
The following is the full text of a statement from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to the president of the UN Security Council. It calls for an immediate ceasefire from both Israel and Hamas.
Mr. President, distinguished members of the Council, excellencies,
A dramatic crisis in Gaza and southern Israel has now reached its fifth day.
The civilian population, the fabric of Gaza, the future of the peace process, stability in the region, and goodwill among people throughout the world: all are trapped between the irresponsibility displayed in the indiscriminate rocket attacks by Hamas militants and the disproportionality of the continuing Israeli military operation. All will be further threatened if the conflict continues or escalates to a new phase of deadly violence.
I am profoundly troubled that the call of this Council, issued nearly four days ago, for an end to the violence has gone unheeded. I wish to underline in the strongest possible terms the world's call for an immediate ceasefire that is fully respected by all parties. This must be achieved now. The parties must step back from the brink. All this violence must end.
Mr. President,
As a result of the crisis and violence, conditions for 1.5 million people in Gaza today are nothing short of terrifying. The people of Gaza are living under heavy bombardment, which has targeted Hamas facilities, smuggling tunnels and other Hamas infrastructure as well as the former Palestinian Authority security structure, government buildings, residential homes, mosques and businesses. Over 300 people lie dead, among them at least 60 women and children. Over 800 are wounded.
In southern Israel, there has been a continuous stream of rockets fired from Gaza by Palestinian militants. Longer-range rockets have been used by militants hitting major Israeli cities, with hundreds of thousands now in range. Four Israelis have died since Saturday and over thirty more have been injured. Schools have closed and daily life in southern Israel is extremely difficult as Israelis live in constant fear of rockets which have hit homes and schools.
Let me be clear: I condemn unequivocally and in the strongest possible terms the ongoing rocket and mortar attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants. But I also condemn the excessive use of force by Israel. All parties must fully uphold international humanitarian law. It is the civilian populations that are bearing the brunt of this escalation, and there must be swift and decisive action by the international community to bring to an end their suffering.
Mr. President,
All parties must address the serious humanitarian and economic needs in Gaza and to take necessary measures to ensure the continuous provision of humanitarian supplies. Without the violence stopping, it is extremely difficult to get food to people who need it. It is too dangerous for civilians to leave their homes to seek urgent medical treatment, buy supplies and assist people in distress. Conditions for parents and children in Gaza are dangerous and frightening.
I wish to pay tribute to United Nations staff in the area who are working hard under deeply adverse conditions to address urgently the humanitarian situation of Gazans. I am pained at the death, injury and damage that United Nations personnel and premises as well as others associated with our programmes have sustained.
I also pay tribute to the efforts of donor countries which have come forward and pledged their support.
Pursuant to assurances given to me by Prime Minister Olmert and Foreign Minister Livni of Israel and the continuing close cooperation between United Nations agencies and the Israeli authorities on the ground, some humanitarian aid is passing through the Kerem Shalom crossing. Today, a total of 84 truckloads, including 34 for humanitarian aid agencies, entered Gaza. As a result, UNRWA is opening seven emergency distribution centres with a skeleton staff to distribute recently donated wheat flour starting tomorrow.
However, the Karni crossing and the Karni conveyor belt, which UNRWA urgently requires to open to bring in wheat grain supplies, remain closed, as do the Nahal Oz fuel pipelines. There remains a shortage of wheat grain, which exacerbates a shortage of bread in a situation in which two-thirds of Gaza's population were already reliant on some kind of food aid prior to this escalation. Fuel shortages have led to the closure of the Gaza power plant and power shortages for up to 16 hours a day. To address the shortages of food and fuel, the Nahal Oz and Karni crossings must be opened. Unless there is an immediate end to the violence, the humanitarian situation will deteriorate significantly.
Mr. President,
I urge all members of the international community, in particular those in the region, to exert what influence they have on the parties to end this violence now. Yesterday, at the Quartet meeting I stressed the need for decisive action. I welcome the efforts underway, including by Arab and European leaders; but I must repeat: not enough has been done, and more is urgently required.
There must be an immediate ceasefire that is fully respected by all parties. This must create new conditions on the ground that ensure at last that crossings into Gaza will be reopened; that rocket attacks and weapons smuggling will end; and that we will pursue political dialogue, and only political dialogue, to reunite Gaza with the West Bank; and that the root cause of this suffering, the absence of Israeli-Palestinian peace, is ended.
Even as this crisis rages, let us never forget the underlying issue: there must be an end to occupation, an end to conflict, and the creation of a Palestinian State. Let us not lose sight of our goal: two States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security, and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the region , based on Security Council resolutions 242, 338, 1397, 1515, and 1850, the principle of land for peace, the Madrid terms of reference, and the Arab Peace Initiative. This conflict must end, and it must end once and for all.
***Ban Ki-Moon is the current secretary-general of the United Nations.
"But it's clear that it is impossible to continue accepting a reality where hundreds of thousands of Israelis are living in continuous fear," the prime minister said.
He said that the Israeli military hopes to achieve its goals quickly, and that Israel will deal with Hamas "with an iron fist," despite that "they handle themselves with silk gloves."
During Olmert's tour of Beersheva on Thursday, he held a meeting with residents, met with the mayor and visited sites struck by projectiles.
Message to Security Council from the UN secretary-general
The following is the full text of a statement from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to the president of the UN Security Council. It calls for an immediate ceasefire from both Israel and Hamas.
Mr. President, distinguished members of the Council, excellencies,
A dramatic crisis in Gaza and southern Israel has now reached its fifth day.
The civilian population, the fabric of Gaza, the future of the peace process, stability in the region, and goodwill among people throughout the world: all are trapped between the irresponsibility displayed in the indiscriminate rocket attacks by Hamas militants and the disproportionality of the continuing Israeli military operation. All will be further threatened if the conflict continues or escalates to a new phase of deadly violence.
I am profoundly troubled that the call of this Council, issued nearly four days ago, for an end to the violence has gone unheeded. I wish to underline in the strongest possible terms the world's call for an immediate ceasefire that is fully respected by all parties. This must be achieved now. The parties must step back from the brink. All this violence must end.
Mr. President,
As a result of the crisis and violence, conditions for 1.5 million people in Gaza today are nothing short of terrifying. The people of Gaza are living under heavy bombardment, which has targeted Hamas facilities, smuggling tunnels and other Hamas infrastructure as well as the former Palestinian Authority security structure, government buildings, residential homes, mosques and businesses. Over 300 people lie dead, among them at least 60 women and children. Over 800 are wounded.
In southern Israel, there has been a continuous stream of rockets fired from Gaza by Palestinian militants. Longer-range rockets have been used by militants hitting major Israeli cities, with hundreds of thousands now in range. Four Israelis have died since Saturday and over thirty more have been injured. Schools have closed and daily life in southern Israel is extremely difficult as Israelis live in constant fear of rockets which have hit homes and schools.
Let me be clear: I condemn unequivocally and in the strongest possible terms the ongoing rocket and mortar attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants. But I also condemn the excessive use of force by Israel. All parties must fully uphold international humanitarian law. It is the civilian populations that are bearing the brunt of this escalation, and there must be swift and decisive action by the international community to bring to an end their suffering.
Mr. President,
All parties must address the serious humanitarian and economic needs in Gaza and to take necessary measures to ensure the continuous provision of humanitarian supplies. Without the violence stopping, it is extremely difficult to get food to people who need it. It is too dangerous for civilians to leave their homes to seek urgent medical treatment, buy supplies and assist people in distress. Conditions for parents and children in Gaza are dangerous and frightening.
I wish to pay tribute to United Nations staff in the area who are working hard under deeply adverse conditions to address urgently the humanitarian situation of Gazans. I am pained at the death, injury and damage that United Nations personnel and premises as well as others associated with our programmes have sustained.
I also pay tribute to the efforts of donor countries which have come forward and pledged their support.
Pursuant to assurances given to me by Prime Minister Olmert and Foreign Minister Livni of Israel and the continuing close cooperation between United Nations agencies and the Israeli authorities on the ground, some humanitarian aid is passing through the Kerem Shalom crossing. Today, a total of 84 truckloads, including 34 for humanitarian aid agencies, entered Gaza. As a result, UNRWA is opening seven emergency distribution centres with a skeleton staff to distribute recently donated wheat flour starting tomorrow.
However, the Karni crossing and the Karni conveyor belt, which UNRWA urgently requires to open to bring in wheat grain supplies, remain closed, as do the Nahal Oz fuel pipelines. There remains a shortage of wheat grain, which exacerbates a shortage of bread in a situation in which two-thirds of Gaza's population were already reliant on some kind of food aid prior to this escalation. Fuel shortages have led to the closure of the Gaza power plant and power shortages for up to 16 hours a day. To address the shortages of food and fuel, the Nahal Oz and Karni crossings must be opened. Unless there is an immediate end to the violence, the humanitarian situation will deteriorate significantly.
Mr. President,
I urge all members of the international community, in particular those in the region, to exert what influence they have on the parties to end this violence now. Yesterday, at the Quartet meeting I stressed the need for decisive action. I welcome the efforts underway, including by Arab and European leaders; but I must repeat: not enough has been done, and more is urgently required.
There must be an immediate ceasefire that is fully respected by all parties. This must create new conditions on the ground that ensure at last that crossings into Gaza will be reopened; that rocket attacks and weapons smuggling will end; and that we will pursue political dialogue, and only political dialogue, to reunite Gaza with the West Bank; and that the root cause of this suffering, the absence of Israeli-Palestinian peace, is ended.
Even as this crisis rages, let us never forget the underlying issue: there must be an end to occupation, an end to conflict, and the creation of a Palestinian State. Let us not lose sight of our goal: two States, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security, and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the region , based on Security Council resolutions 242, 338, 1397, 1515, and 1850, the principle of land for peace, the Madrid terms of reference, and the Arab Peace Initiative. This conflict must end, and it must end once and for all.
***Ban Ki-Moon is the current secretary-general of the United Nations.
News Agencies aired footage of a number of children killed after the Israel's air force shelled areas in the Gaza neighborhoods of At-Tifah, Jabalia and Beit Hanoun on Thursday.
Medical sources told Ma'an that scores of injured were taken to hospitals in Beit Hanoun and Kamal Adwan following a series of airstrikes that targeted an area near the An-Nada Towers building and many others in northern and eastern Gaza City.
Fatah-affiliated armed group claims attack on settlement
An armed group affiliated with the Fatah movement announced on Thursday that it targeted an Israeli town near the border with the Gaza Strip.
The Al-Aqsa Brigades, an armed wing of the Fatah movement, announced on Thursday that one of its groups escaped death in an Israeli airstrike that targeted the area of Jabal Ar-Rayes in eastern Gaza city. No injuries were reported.
An Al-Aqsa Brigades affiliate confirmed the strike in a telephone call to Ma'an Headquarters in Bethlehem. The group also claimed responsibility for shelling the Israeli town of Azzata with a homemade projectile.
Medical sources told Ma'an that scores of injured were taken to hospitals in Beit Hanoun and Kamal Adwan following a series of airstrikes that targeted an area near the An-Nada Towers building and many others in northern and eastern Gaza City.
Fatah-affiliated armed group claims attack on settlement
An armed group affiliated with the Fatah movement announced on Thursday that it targeted an Israeli town near the border with the Gaza Strip.
The Al-Aqsa Brigades, an armed wing of the Fatah movement, announced on Thursday that one of its groups escaped death in an Israeli airstrike that targeted the area of Jabal Ar-Rayes in eastern Gaza city. No injuries were reported.
An Al-Aqsa Brigades affiliate confirmed the strike in a telephone call to Ma'an Headquarters in Bethlehem. The group also claimed responsibility for shelling the Israeli town of Azzata with a homemade projectile.
Injured children, Gaza
A review of recent Hebrew press indicates that despite the overwhelming assault on the Gaza Strip, Israeli military leaders want to find a way out of the war as soon as possible.
Commentators on several Hebrew-language television and radio stations noted that Israel hopes to pull out of Gaza before the images of civilian victims coming out of the besieged coastal strip spark further denunciation and criticism of Israel.
For instance, on Israeli Channel 10, military and political analysts said that Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni had tried on Thursday to reach an agreement, with the help of Turkey and France, to renew a ceasefire on the condition that armed groups in the Gaza Strip agree not to fire more projectiles at Israeli targets.
To justify the recent political stance of Israel's right-wing extremist community, experts in media warfare said that "Israel has enjoyed a pleasant media honeymoon during this war on Gaza due to holidays in the Western world, where government offices are closed and newspapers and satellite channels are operating on day shifts."
Nahman Shai, a media spokesperson on the Gaza operation, said he told the international media that "Israel received several days of comfortable work and long hours of transmitting in Western media outlets, where Israeli experts and leaders managed to get out their message to the world with long and open hours of transmission to explain their positions and justifications."
During last week's media propaganda, Israel relied on dubious statements that Hamas is the one that violated the truce, that it doesn't want a ceasefire, and insisting that it is only Israel that seeks an end to hostilities.
But Shai warned that Israel knows the holidays will end on Monday, when the world's journalistic staff will have the time to examine the accuracy of such statements.
And as soon as they do, the Israeli analyst noted, independent press professionals will begin to "lash Israel's back" with tough questions, particularly after the shelling of prominent Hamas leader Nizar Rayan's house on Thursday, a strike that killed him and 14 other members of his family.
***The author, Nasser Laham, is Ma'an News Agency's editor in chief. His analysis was translated and edited by the English Desk in Bethlehem.
A review of recent Hebrew press indicates that despite the overwhelming assault on the Gaza Strip, Israeli military leaders want to find a way out of the war as soon as possible.
Commentators on several Hebrew-language television and radio stations noted that Israel hopes to pull out of Gaza before the images of civilian victims coming out of the besieged coastal strip spark further denunciation and criticism of Israel.
For instance, on Israeli Channel 10, military and political analysts said that Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni had tried on Thursday to reach an agreement, with the help of Turkey and France, to renew a ceasefire on the condition that armed groups in the Gaza Strip agree not to fire more projectiles at Israeli targets.
To justify the recent political stance of Israel's right-wing extremist community, experts in media warfare said that "Israel has enjoyed a pleasant media honeymoon during this war on Gaza due to holidays in the Western world, where government offices are closed and newspapers and satellite channels are operating on day shifts."
Nahman Shai, a media spokesperson on the Gaza operation, said he told the international media that "Israel received several days of comfortable work and long hours of transmitting in Western media outlets, where Israeli experts and leaders managed to get out their message to the world with long and open hours of transmission to explain their positions and justifications."
During last week's media propaganda, Israel relied on dubious statements that Hamas is the one that violated the truce, that it doesn't want a ceasefire, and insisting that it is only Israel that seeks an end to hostilities.
But Shai warned that Israel knows the holidays will end on Monday, when the world's journalistic staff will have the time to examine the accuracy of such statements.
And as soon as they do, the Israeli analyst noted, independent press professionals will begin to "lash Israel's back" with tough questions, particularly after the shelling of prominent Hamas leader Nizar Rayan's house on Thursday, a strike that killed him and 14 other members of his family.
***The author, Nasser Laham, is Ma'an News Agency's editor in chief. His analysis was translated and edited by the English Desk in Bethlehem.
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