Israeli Air Strikes Kill More Than 100 in Gaza printable version send your friend add comment Palestinian medical officials say Israeli airstrikes on Hamas compounds in the Gaza Strip have killed at least 120 people.
Officials say the assault wounded more than 100 other people Saturday. They say Gaza police chief Tawfik Jabber was among those killed.
The Israeli military confirmed launching strikes on Hamas targets across Gaza, and warned the operation could be expanded.
The militant group vowed to avenge the attacks.
Tensions between Israel and Hamas have escalated since a six-month cease-fire expired last week.
On Friday, two Palestinian girls were killed when a rocket fired by Palestinian militants missed its Israeli target and instead hit a home in the northern Gaza Strip.
The deaths occurred as Gaza militants continued to fire rockets and mortar shells into southern Israel. No casualties were reported.
Despite the violence, Israel temporarily opened some border crossings Friday to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
Despite the violence, Israel temporarily opened some border crossings Friday to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. Truckloads of fuel, food and other vital goods crossed into the impoverished territory.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said the decision to open the crossings came in response to requests from the international community.
Israel has restricted supplies to Gaza to pressure Hamas to stop firing rockets and mortars into Israel. Human rights groups say the blockade has caused a humanitarian crisis for Palestinians struggling without electricity, food and cash.
In the past week, Hamas has fired barrages of rockets and mortar shells into southern Israel. The Israeli army has killed a number of militants, including three who were spotted planting explosives near the Israel-Gaza border.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
Saturday, 27 December 2008
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Palestinian-Israeli conflict area and War on Terrorism around the Gaza strip
Israel has launched with at least 30 simultaneous missiles strikes on Hamas installations in Gaza City, causing heavy damage. F-16 fighters targeted security compounds in the city’s centre.

The “massive” air strikes on Saturday have claimed at least 220 lives, including Gaza police chief Maj. Gen. Tawfiq Jaber. More than 700 were injured, while others were still buried under the rubble, according to Health Ministry officer Moawiya Hassanain. Gaza City hospitals, including Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s main treatment center, are crowded with wounded victims. In response thirteen rockets and mortar shells had also hit southern Israel on Friday, damaging an unoccupied house. 

Meanwhile, Hamas declared  it would retaliate, by launching rocket attacks on and sending suicide bombers to Israel. “Hamas will continue the resistance until the last drop of blood,” warned Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Hamas’ rival,  says he “condemns this aggression” and calls for restraint.
Hamas-run Gaza Strip.

Qassam rocket fired from the Gaza Strip hits southern Ashkelon in Israel.

When the Egyptian-mediated truce terminated last week, Israel warned of their potential to launch a major offensive on Gaza, amid senior leaders’ call to topple Hamas. “I will not hesitate to use Israel’s strength to strike at Hamas and Islamic Jihad,” Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced on Thursday, issuing a dire warning that ”tens of thousands of children and innocents” would be at risk “as a result of Hamas’ actions.” Defense Minister Ehud Barak says Israel has temporarily opened some border crossings Friday to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip in response to the international community’s pleas.

Two hours after IAF missiles targeted Hamas installations in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian gunmen launched on Saturday a massive attack with Qassam rockets on Israeli territory. Seven struck Ashkelon, killing one person, while another suffered serious injuries, and four others were moderately wounded when their house was hit. They were rushed to the Soroka hospital in Beersheva. 

According to the IDF, Hamas militants had further launched more than 110 rockets since Saturday, IDF says. Meanwhile, a Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour has called on the United Nations to condemn the deadly violence. "There is no justification for punishing 1.5 million in the Gaza Strip because of the actions of a few. We hope we don't fail in having a reaction from the Security Council tonight," he said. Dr Moawiya Hassanein has said "we have counted 271 dead and 620 wounded since Saturday."

The 2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict, referred to as "Operation Cast Lead" (מבצע עופרת יצוקה - also known as "Operation Solid Lead") by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), is an Israeli air strike operation launched on December 27, 2008 at 11:30 am local time (9:30 am UTC) against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. Israeli officials justified the offensive as a retaliation against daily Palestinian Qassam rocket and mortar fire on Israel's southern communities.