Date:02/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/02/stories/2008030252731200.htm

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32 more Gazans killed in raids

Atul Aneja

Demand in Israel for fullscale invasion of Gaza Strip

— Photo: AFP

Running for their lives: A medical worker evacuates a family after their house was hit in an Israeli air raid in Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip on Saturday.

DUBAI: There has been no let up in Israeli attacks on Gaza which claimed at least another 32 lives on Saturday.

According to medical staff, the dead include four children and around15 militants. Dr. Muawiya Hassanein, head of Gaza emergency medical services, has been quoted as saying the latest Israeli attacks have killed 33 persons and wounded around 100.

Israeli attacks since Wednesday have killed more than 60 Palestinians.

Two Israelis killed

Two Israeli soldiers have also been killed in the violence, Al Jazeera television reported.

The northern Gaza town and refugee camp of Jabaliya appears to have faced the brunt of the Israeli strikes.

According to eyewitnesses, Israeli tanks backed by helicopters moved towards the area by midnight.

By midday they had advanced 3 km inside the Gaza Strip.

According to an AFP report, debris littered the streets, as frightened residents hid inside their homes. Imams read Koranic verses over mosque loudspeakers.

On Friday, a Palestinian rocket, similar to a Grad-type projectile smashed into an apartment block in the industrial city of Ashkelon.

Israeli Deputy Defence Minister warned that Gaza could now face a “holocaust,” amid calls within the Israeli establishment for a fullscale invasion of the coastal strip.

Despite the escalation of the Israeli strikes, Palestinian rocket attacks have not ceased.

At least three rockets have hit Ashkelon, injuring four persons.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said, “Gaza today faces a real war, a crazy war led by the enemy against our people.” Mr. Haniyeh slammed Washington for portraying the Israeli attacks as an expression of “self-defence.” He also accused the Arab world of “encouraging the Israeli aggression” through its silence.