10 july 2014
A boy observes damage inflicted on Gaza City by Israeli airstrikes, 10 July.
The number of victims of Israel’s merciless bombing of Gaza reached ninety fatalities as of this writing, several members of individual families among the dead.
One such family is that of 75-year-old Muhammad Hamad of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. Six members of his family were killed when Israel bombed the home of his thirty-year-old son Abd al-Hafez Hamad, a commander with the armed group Islamic Jihad, on Tuesday.
“The missile fell on my family with no warning,” he told the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem (full testimony below).
There is no safe refuge in the Gaza Strip, and no escape for its more than 1.7 million residents.
Defence for Children International Palestine reported earlier today that at least eighteen children were confirmed to have been killed in Gaza since Monday:
Aseel Ibrahim Fayek al-Masri, 16, whose 14-year-old brother died in an attack on the family home in Beit Hanoun on Wednesday, died after sustaining injuries in the same incident. Suleiman Salim Mousa al-Astal, 17, and Mousa Mohammad Taher al-Astal, 14, were killed after being hit by a missile as they sat watching the World Cup with friends on the beach overnight on Thursday. The two boys were among eight reported fatalities after an Israeli aircraft bombed the crowd of people watching the football game.
Abdullah Ramadan Jamil Abu Ghazal, 4, was with his mother in their home when he was hit by shrapnel fragments from an Israeli missile that exploded nearby. Abdullah died instantly when he sustained head injuries.
The United Nations stated in a situation report [PDF] that “the targeting and destruction of residential properties in Gaza is the main cause of civilian casualties.”
Israeli military propagandists have had a hard time spinning the images of dead children being pulled from the rubble in their favor.
Via its spokesperson’s Twitter account, the Israeli army has published crude and unconvincing attempts to justify its bombing of civilian homes:
The number of victims of Israel’s merciless bombing of Gaza reached ninety fatalities as of this writing, several members of individual families among the dead.
One such family is that of 75-year-old Muhammad Hamad of the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun. Six members of his family were killed when Israel bombed the home of his thirty-year-old son Abd al-Hafez Hamad, a commander with the armed group Islamic Jihad, on Tuesday.
“The missile fell on my family with no warning,” he told the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem (full testimony below).
There is no safe refuge in the Gaza Strip, and no escape for its more than 1.7 million residents.
Defence for Children International Palestine reported earlier today that at least eighteen children were confirmed to have been killed in Gaza since Monday:
Aseel Ibrahim Fayek al-Masri, 16, whose 14-year-old brother died in an attack on the family home in Beit Hanoun on Wednesday, died after sustaining injuries in the same incident. Suleiman Salim Mousa al-Astal, 17, and Mousa Mohammad Taher al-Astal, 14, were killed after being hit by a missile as they sat watching the World Cup with friends on the beach overnight on Thursday. The two boys were among eight reported fatalities after an Israeli aircraft bombed the crowd of people watching the football game.
Abdullah Ramadan Jamil Abu Ghazal, 4, was with his mother in their home when he was hit by shrapnel fragments from an Israeli missile that exploded nearby. Abdullah died instantly when he sustained head injuries.
The United Nations stated in a situation report [PDF] that “the targeting and destruction of residential properties in Gaza is the main cause of civilian casualties.”
Israeli military propagandists have had a hard time spinning the images of dead children being pulled from the rubble in their favor.
Via its spokesperson’s Twitter account, the Israeli army has published crude and unconvincing attempts to justify its bombing of civilian homes:
IDF @IDFSpokesperson In Gaza, when is a house a home, and when does it become a legitimate military target? 7:54 PM - 10 Jul 2014
Six children were among eight killed on Tuesday when a missile struck the home of an alleged Hamas activist in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. Five families reside in the building bombed by the Israeli military, which claims that the home was the residence of Hamas commander Odeh Kaware.
Six children were among eight killed on Tuesday when a missile struck the home of an alleged Hamas activist in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. Five families reside in the building bombed by the Israeli military, which claims that the home was the residence of Hamas commander Odeh Kaware.
IDF@IDFSpokesperson What a house looks like after Hamas takes control: rockets near people, terrorists mixed with families. RETWEET. 8:41 AM - 10 Jul 2014
As the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights stated today, a home cannot be classified as a military target because it is owned by a fighter. The lack of secondary explosions in homes targeted by Israel gives the lie to Israel’s claim that the houses were used for weapons storage.
The rights group says the houses are being destroyed as a punitive measure targeting members of armed groups in Gaza and their families.
As the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights stated today, a home cannot be classified as a military target because it is owned by a fighter. The lack of secondary explosions in homes targeted by Israel gives the lie to Israel’s claim that the houses were used for weapons storage.
The rights group says the houses are being destroyed as a punitive measure targeting members of armed groups in Gaza and their families.
Muhammad Hamad mourns during the funeral of members of his family killed in an Israeli air strike, 9 July
Muhammad Hamad described to the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem how a missile fell on the family without warning:
In the evening, especially during Ramadan, we usually sit outside near the entrance to our house. We have two sofas there.
On Tuesday evening, 8 July 2014, I was sitting there as usual with my wife, Rasmiya (62), and my sons and their families: ‘Abd al-Hafez (30), his wife, Suha, and their daughter, Nur (5); Mahdi (46) and his children Rakan (2), Kinan (4) and Dina (16); and Ibrahim (22).
We sat and talked. At 11:00 P.M., the power was cut off because the electricity supply runs on rotation. We sat there a while longer and then I got up and called the little ones – Rakan, Nur and Kinan – to come inside with me to get ready for bed. We went in to the house, spread out our mattresses and sat on them for a while. Then Rakan and Nur got up and went to the door leading to the yard. Kinan stayed inside with me.
About three minutes later, I heard a loud explosion. I grabbed Kinan and went out into the street with him. It was full of smoke and dust. I walked on bits of glass. I left Kinan with people in the street and went back into the yard to check on the rest of the family. I found bodies lying on the ground covered in blood, with their clothes torn. Everything was full of shrapnel and blood. Some neighbors came with flashlights. When they lit up the yard, I was shocked – I saw the bodies of my three sons, ‘Abd al-Hafez, Mahdi and Ibrahim, my wife, my granddaughter Dina, and my daughter-in-law Suha. The two other little ones, Rakan and Nur, were lightly injured.
I went into shock. The neighbors held me because I couldn’t stand. I felt like I was going to faint from the horror of it. The missile fell on my family with no warning. I assume they wanted to hit ‘Abd al-Hafez, but what did the rest of the family do wrong? Why did they kill an entire family?
Muhammad Hamad described to the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem how a missile fell on the family without warning:
In the evening, especially during Ramadan, we usually sit outside near the entrance to our house. We have two sofas there.
On Tuesday evening, 8 July 2014, I was sitting there as usual with my wife, Rasmiya (62), and my sons and their families: ‘Abd al-Hafez (30), his wife, Suha, and their daughter, Nur (5); Mahdi (46) and his children Rakan (2), Kinan (4) and Dina (16); and Ibrahim (22).
We sat and talked. At 11:00 P.M., the power was cut off because the electricity supply runs on rotation. We sat there a while longer and then I got up and called the little ones – Rakan, Nur and Kinan – to come inside with me to get ready for bed. We went in to the house, spread out our mattresses and sat on them for a while. Then Rakan and Nur got up and went to the door leading to the yard. Kinan stayed inside with me.
About three minutes later, I heard a loud explosion. I grabbed Kinan and went out into the street with him. It was full of smoke and dust. I walked on bits of glass. I left Kinan with people in the street and went back into the yard to check on the rest of the family. I found bodies lying on the ground covered in blood, with their clothes torn. Everything was full of shrapnel and blood. Some neighbors came with flashlights. When they lit up the yard, I was shocked – I saw the bodies of my three sons, ‘Abd al-Hafez, Mahdi and Ibrahim, my wife, my granddaughter Dina, and my daughter-in-law Suha. The two other little ones, Rakan and Nur, were lightly injured.
I went into shock. The neighbors held me because I couldn’t stand. I felt like I was going to faint from the horror of it. The missile fell on my family with no warning. I assume they wanted to hit ‘Abd al-Hafez, but what did the rest of the family do wrong? Why did they kill an entire family?
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The United Sates has announced the temporary closure of its embassy in Tel Aviv due to the deteriorating security situation in Israel.
“Due to the current security situation in Tel Aviv, the US Embassy in Tel Aviv is closed on Wednesday, July 9, for routine services for both visas and services for U.S. citizens. Emergency cases will be considered on a case by case basis,” the embassy said in a notice published on its website.
However, according to Israeli media reports, the embassy remained closed on Thursday as well.
The reports said the embassy suspended routine appointments for visa and other services.
The development came as several rockets launched from the Gaza Strip were intercepted over parts of Tel Aviv on Wednesday.
Palestinian resistance groups in Gaza said they had fired the rockets in retaliation for Israeli aggression against the people of the besieged territory.
The regime in Tel Aviv had warned earlier that Hamas had dozens of long-range rockets capable of striking deeper into Israel than ever before.
About 90 Palestinians have been killed and over 500 others wounded since Israel launched its so-called “Operation Protective Edge” against the coastal enclave on July 8.
Tens of Palestinian homes have been completely destroyed, while more than 1500 others have been partially damaged.
Gaza has been blockaded since 2007. The regime of Israel denies about 1.7 million people in Gaza their basic rights, such as freedom of movement, jobs that pay proper wages, and adequate healthcare and education.
“Due to the current security situation in Tel Aviv, the US Embassy in Tel Aviv is closed on Wednesday, July 9, for routine services for both visas and services for U.S. citizens. Emergency cases will be considered on a case by case basis,” the embassy said in a notice published on its website.
However, according to Israeli media reports, the embassy remained closed on Thursday as well.
The reports said the embassy suspended routine appointments for visa and other services.
The development came as several rockets launched from the Gaza Strip were intercepted over parts of Tel Aviv on Wednesday.
Palestinian resistance groups in Gaza said they had fired the rockets in retaliation for Israeli aggression against the people of the besieged territory.
The regime in Tel Aviv had warned earlier that Hamas had dozens of long-range rockets capable of striking deeper into Israel than ever before.
About 90 Palestinians have been killed and over 500 others wounded since Israel launched its so-called “Operation Protective Edge” against the coastal enclave on July 8.
Tens of Palestinian homes have been completely destroyed, while more than 1500 others have been partially damaged.
Gaza has been blockaded since 2007. The regime of Israel denies about 1.7 million people in Gaza their basic rights, such as freedom of movement, jobs that pay proper wages, and adequate healthcare and education.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon appealed Thursday for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants, calling on the international community to do everything to halt escalating violence in Gaza.
"It is now more urgent than ever to try to find common ground for a return to calm and a ceasefire understanding," he told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in New York.
Ban said Hamas and Islamic Jihad had fired more than 550 rockets and mortars from the Gaza Strip into Israel in the last few days and that Israel had launched more than 500 air strikes on Gaza.
Eighty-eight Palestinians, many of them civilians, are reported to have been killed and 339 injured, with 150 homes destroyed or severely damaged and nearly 900 people displaced, he said.
Ban said all parties, including Palestinian armed groups, must respect international law.
"Once again civilians are paying the price for the continuation of conflict. My paramount concern is the safety and well-being of all civilians no matter where they are," he told the Council.
"Israel has legitimate security concerns but I am also concerned at the many Palestinian deaths and injuries as a result of Israeli operations," he said.
"Today we face the risk of an all-out escalation in Israel and Gaza with the threat of a ground offensive sill palpable and preventable only if Hamas stops rocket firing," Ban said.
The UN secretary general said he had been in contact with Israel and President Mahmoud Abbas, as well as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, the Arab League, the United States and the European Union.
"It is clear that the international community must accelerate efforts to achieve an immediate halt to this escalation and reach a durable ceasefire," he said.
Israeli ambassador Ron Prosor played the chilling wail of Israel's air raid warning from his mobile phone and said Hamas was threatening the lives of 3.5 million innocent men, women and children.
"Fifteen seconds that's how much time you have to run for your life," he told the council blaming Hamas for putting the lives of Palestinian as well as Israeli civilians at risk.
While Israel gives innocent Palestinian civilians prior warning of air strikes, Hamas tells them to stand on rooftops to act as human shields, he said.
He called on the world to denounce, dismantle and delegitimize Hamas, which he said was part of the global threat posed by terror groups such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda and Boko Haram.
The European Union and the United States have expressed readiness to work with a new Palestinian unity government that includes Hamas, but Israel has boycotted the administration.
"Condemn Hamas, condemn terrorism and condemn the rocket fire and support Israel's right to defend itself. This is the only way, but the only way to achieve comprehensive peace," he said.
Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour accused Israel of starting the violence in Gaza and of working to dismantle the Palestinian consensus government, which took office last month.
"They started the attack against our people in the occupied territory including in Gaza and the rockets started after that," he told reporters after briefing the council.
Mansour said the Palestinians would honor any ceasefire in Gaza but said "it is obvious that the Israeli side are not interested in a ceasefire and stopping the rockets."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly told a parliamentary committee earlier Thursday that a ceasefire with Hamas was "not even on the agenda."
"The Palestinian people are united behind this national consensus government... and we will prevail in this battle and we hope the Security Council can act in accordance with its responsibilities," Mansour said.
"It is now more urgent than ever to try to find common ground for a return to calm and a ceasefire understanding," he told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in New York.
Ban said Hamas and Islamic Jihad had fired more than 550 rockets and mortars from the Gaza Strip into Israel in the last few days and that Israel had launched more than 500 air strikes on Gaza.
Eighty-eight Palestinians, many of them civilians, are reported to have been killed and 339 injured, with 150 homes destroyed or severely damaged and nearly 900 people displaced, he said.
Ban said all parties, including Palestinian armed groups, must respect international law.
"Once again civilians are paying the price for the continuation of conflict. My paramount concern is the safety and well-being of all civilians no matter where they are," he told the Council.
"Israel has legitimate security concerns but I am also concerned at the many Palestinian deaths and injuries as a result of Israeli operations," he said.
"Today we face the risk of an all-out escalation in Israel and Gaza with the threat of a ground offensive sill palpable and preventable only if Hamas stops rocket firing," Ban said.
The UN secretary general said he had been in contact with Israel and President Mahmoud Abbas, as well as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, the Arab League, the United States and the European Union.
"It is clear that the international community must accelerate efforts to achieve an immediate halt to this escalation and reach a durable ceasefire," he said.
Israeli ambassador Ron Prosor played the chilling wail of Israel's air raid warning from his mobile phone and said Hamas was threatening the lives of 3.5 million innocent men, women and children.
"Fifteen seconds that's how much time you have to run for your life," he told the council blaming Hamas for putting the lives of Palestinian as well as Israeli civilians at risk.
While Israel gives innocent Palestinian civilians prior warning of air strikes, Hamas tells them to stand on rooftops to act as human shields, he said.
He called on the world to denounce, dismantle and delegitimize Hamas, which he said was part of the global threat posed by terror groups such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda and Boko Haram.
The European Union and the United States have expressed readiness to work with a new Palestinian unity government that includes Hamas, but Israel has boycotted the administration.
"Condemn Hamas, condemn terrorism and condemn the rocket fire and support Israel's right to defend itself. This is the only way, but the only way to achieve comprehensive peace," he said.
Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour accused Israel of starting the violence in Gaza and of working to dismantle the Palestinian consensus government, which took office last month.
"They started the attack against our people in the occupied territory including in Gaza and the rockets started after that," he told reporters after briefing the council.
Mansour said the Palestinians would honor any ceasefire in Gaza but said "it is obvious that the Israeli side are not interested in a ceasefire and stopping the rockets."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly told a parliamentary committee earlier Thursday that a ceasefire with Hamas was "not even on the agenda."
"The Palestinian people are united behind this national consensus government... and we will prevail in this battle and we hope the Security Council can act in accordance with its responsibilities," Mansour said.
The Gaza City municipality was completely destroyed after Israeli airstrikes hit nearby areas, the general director of the Health and Environment department said.
Abd al-Rahim Abu al-Qumboz said that Israeli airstrikes targeted a building “wall-to-wall” with the municipality which caused parts of the municipality building to collapse.
The main butchery building in the city, which provides meat for the whole city, was also destroyed by airstrikes.
Abu al-Qumboz told Ma'an that facilities of the municipality in different parts of the Gaza Strip were destroyed and damaged by airstrikes; the sewage plant which treats and refines 25 percent of wastewater was completely destroyed.
The airstrikes destroyed a water line that provides clean drinking water for al-Shate refugee camp.
Abu al-Qumboz called upon international institutions to intervene and stop the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, which will cause a major health disaster if it proceeds.
Abd al-Rahim Abu al-Qumboz said that Israeli airstrikes targeted a building “wall-to-wall” with the municipality which caused parts of the municipality building to collapse.
The main butchery building in the city, which provides meat for the whole city, was also destroyed by airstrikes.
Abu al-Qumboz told Ma'an that facilities of the municipality in different parts of the Gaza Strip were destroyed and damaged by airstrikes; the sewage plant which treats and refines 25 percent of wastewater was completely destroyed.
The airstrikes destroyed a water line that provides clean drinking water for al-Shate refugee camp.
Abu al-Qumboz called upon international institutions to intervene and stop the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, which will cause a major health disaster if it proceeds.
Israeli airstrikes across the besieged Gaza Strip killed over 30 Palestinians overnight Wednesday and Thursday, including a family of eight.
The latest Palestinian to die, Abdullah Abu Majrouq, from al-Qassam Brigades, was killed in airstrike on his motorbike in Deir al-Balah.
An eight-year-old was killed in an airstrike in al-Hakar area in Deir al-Balah. The boy, Abdul Rahman Khattab, was killed after an Israeli airstrike on his home.
Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a car in the northern Gaza Strip killing three Palestinians. A medical official confirmed that the remains of the victims were taken to Kamal Udwan Hospital.
Two of the men were identified as Mahmoud Waloud and Hazim Balousha.
One man was killed after an airstrike targeted a motorcycle south of Gaza City and another man Ahmed Zaher Hamdan died from his injuries after Israel targeted a group of men in Jabaliya.
A four-year-old baby girl, Yasmin Muhammad al-Mutawwaq, also succumbed to wounds sustained in an Israeli airstrike on Khan Younis overnight.
Ismail Abu Jami, 19, was killed in a strike on Khan Younis and Abdullah Ramadan Abu Ghazal, five, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beit Lahiya, Gaza health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said.
Israeli warplanes also targeted a residential house in al-Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, with no injuries reported.
In the southern Gaza Strip, an Israeli missile hit a residential building in Rafah. Three men were injured in a car traveling near the building.
Three men were injured, one seriously, in an airstrike targeting a motorcycle in Rafah. Another airstrike struck Gaza City, injuring two, while another airstrike targeted al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza.
Earlier, an airstrike hit a car in al-Nafaq street in Gaza City, killing three and injuring four.
Bahaa Abu al-Leil, 35, Wisam Qandil and Amir al-Fayoumi were identified as the victims. Islamic Jihad said in a statement that the men were fighters with the al-Quds Brigades.
Early Thursday, Israeli warplanes targeted a building in Khan Younis, killing eight members of the al-Hajj family. Over 30 people were injured in the strike.
Most of the victims were children, al-Qidra said, adding that Israeli forces bombed the building without a warning or asking them to evacuate.
Tariq al-Hajj, Najla al-Hajj, Aminah al-Hajj, Saad al-Hajj, Omar al-Hajj, Aminah al-Hajj, and Basimah al-Hajj, 57, were named as the victims.
Earlier, nine Palestinians were killed and at least 10 injured when Israel targeted Waqt al-Marah coffee shop on a Khan Younis beach.
Locals said dozens of people were watching the World Cup semi-final game when Israel fired a missile at the crowd.
Muhammad Khalid Qannan, his brother Ibrahim, Hamdi Kamil Sawali, Suleiman al-Astal, Ahmad al-Astal, Mousa al-Astal and Muhammad al-Aqqad were identified as some of the victims.
Muhammad Ihsan Farawneh, 18, was found dead on Thursday under the rubble of the cafe.
Another airstrike in the al-Zawayda village in central Gaza killed four members of the Shalat family; a couple and two children.
The car had 'TV' clearly marked in red paint on the bonnet of the vehicle.
Early on Thursday the Israeli military said that during the course of the preceding day, "at least 82 rockets hit Israel" and 21 were intercepted.
The Israeli army said it launched raids on "322 targets" overnight, taking the total number of Hamas targets hit to 750.
The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on the crisis from 10:00 a.m., with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon due to give the latest about the situation on the ground, followed by closed-door consultations between the Council's 15 member states.
The meeting follows a request by Arab envoys.
Ban called the new wave of violence "one of the most critical tests the region has faced in recent years".
"Gaza is on a knife edge. The deteriorating situation is leading to a downward spiral which could quickly get beyond anyone's control," he said.
"The risk of violence expanding further still is real. Gaza, and the region as a whole, cannot afford another full-blown war."
The latest Palestinian to die, Abdullah Abu Majrouq, from al-Qassam Brigades, was killed in airstrike on his motorbike in Deir al-Balah.
An eight-year-old was killed in an airstrike in al-Hakar area in Deir al-Balah. The boy, Abdul Rahman Khattab, was killed after an Israeli airstrike on his home.
Israeli warplanes fired a missile at a car in the northern Gaza Strip killing three Palestinians. A medical official confirmed that the remains of the victims were taken to Kamal Udwan Hospital.
Two of the men were identified as Mahmoud Waloud and Hazim Balousha.
One man was killed after an airstrike targeted a motorcycle south of Gaza City and another man Ahmed Zaher Hamdan died from his injuries after Israel targeted a group of men in Jabaliya.
A four-year-old baby girl, Yasmin Muhammad al-Mutawwaq, also succumbed to wounds sustained in an Israeli airstrike on Khan Younis overnight.
Ismail Abu Jami, 19, was killed in a strike on Khan Younis and Abdullah Ramadan Abu Ghazal, five, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Beit Lahiya, Gaza health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said.
Israeli warplanes also targeted a residential house in al-Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza, with no injuries reported.
In the southern Gaza Strip, an Israeli missile hit a residential building in Rafah. Three men were injured in a car traveling near the building.
Three men were injured, one seriously, in an airstrike targeting a motorcycle in Rafah. Another airstrike struck Gaza City, injuring two, while another airstrike targeted al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza.
Earlier, an airstrike hit a car in al-Nafaq street in Gaza City, killing three and injuring four.
Bahaa Abu al-Leil, 35, Wisam Qandil and Amir al-Fayoumi were identified as the victims. Islamic Jihad said in a statement that the men were fighters with the al-Quds Brigades.
Early Thursday, Israeli warplanes targeted a building in Khan Younis, killing eight members of the al-Hajj family. Over 30 people were injured in the strike.
Most of the victims were children, al-Qidra said, adding that Israeli forces bombed the building without a warning or asking them to evacuate.
Tariq al-Hajj, Najla al-Hajj, Aminah al-Hajj, Saad al-Hajj, Omar al-Hajj, Aminah al-Hajj, and Basimah al-Hajj, 57, were named as the victims.
Earlier, nine Palestinians were killed and at least 10 injured when Israel targeted Waqt al-Marah coffee shop on a Khan Younis beach.
Locals said dozens of people were watching the World Cup semi-final game when Israel fired a missile at the crowd.
Muhammad Khalid Qannan, his brother Ibrahim, Hamdi Kamil Sawali, Suleiman al-Astal, Ahmad al-Astal, Mousa al-Astal and Muhammad al-Aqqad were identified as some of the victims.
Muhammad Ihsan Farawneh, 18, was found dead on Thursday under the rubble of the cafe.
Another airstrike in the al-Zawayda village in central Gaza killed four members of the Shalat family; a couple and two children.
The car had 'TV' clearly marked in red paint on the bonnet of the vehicle.
Early on Thursday the Israeli military said that during the course of the preceding day, "at least 82 rockets hit Israel" and 21 were intercepted.
The Israeli army said it launched raids on "322 targets" overnight, taking the total number of Hamas targets hit to 750.
The United Nations Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on the crisis from 10:00 a.m., with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon due to give the latest about the situation on the ground, followed by closed-door consultations between the Council's 15 member states.
The meeting follows a request by Arab envoys.
Ban called the new wave of violence "one of the most critical tests the region has faced in recent years".
"Gaza is on a knife edge. The deteriorating situation is leading to a downward spiral which could quickly get beyond anyone's control," he said.
"The risk of violence expanding further still is real. Gaza, and the region as a whole, cannot afford another full-blown war."
Conflicting reports on Ashdod injury
Israeli media reported Thursday that a rocket attack on Ashdod critically injured one man.
However, police have denied the reports.
Israeli media reported Thursday that a rocket attack on Ashdod critically injured one man.
However, police have denied the reports.
Palestinian killed on motorbike in Deir al-Balah
Abdullah Abu Majrouq from the al-Qassam Brigades, was killed Thursday in airstrike on his motorbike in Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip, a Ma'an correspondent reported.
Abdullah Abu Majrouq from the al-Qassam Brigades, was killed Thursday in airstrike on his motorbike in Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip, a Ma'an correspondent reported.
50 rockets fired toward Beersheva
Over 50 rockets were fired toward Beersheva from the Gaza Strip on Thursday, Israeli security officials said.
There were no immediate reports of injury.
Over 50 rockets were fired toward Beersheva from the Gaza Strip on Thursday, Israeli security officials said.
There were no immediate reports of injury.
Israel launches strike on house of Ibrahim Abu al-Najja in Khan Younis
The Israeli air force launched an airstrike on the house of Ibrahim Abu al-Najja in Khan Younis on Thursday, medics said.
There were no immediate reports of injury or damage.
The Israeli air force launched an airstrike on the house of Ibrahim Abu al-Najja in Khan Younis on Thursday, medics said.
There were no immediate reports of injury or damage.
You find the photo's disturbing? Remember, this is what Palestinian children see almost every day
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Truce violations List of names Pictures of martyrs
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