USA Today – by Yousef Al-Helou, Jennifer Collins and John Bacon
GAZA CITY — Ten Palestinians were reported killed Monday when a missile hit a refugee camp here and nine Israeli soldiers died in multiple clashes as a major Muslim holiday brought no respite from tragedy in this troubled region.
Fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants roared on as Muslims celebrated the holiday of Eid al-Fitr, marking the completion of month-long, dawn-to-dusk fasting for Ramadan. Hamas had agreed Sunday to hold fire ahead of the holiday, but even a strong statement from the U.N. Security Council calling for an “immediate and unconditional” cease-fire failed to keep the peace.
Ayman Sahabani, the head of the emergency room at Shifa Hospital here, said nine of the refugee camp victims were children under age 12. Dozens more people were injured in the strike, he said, plus several more were hurt when another missile hit the hospital compound.
Sahabani and Gaza police blamed Israeli missiles. Israel Defense Forces blamed Hamas. “Al-Shifa Hospital and Al-Shati Refugee Camp were struck by failed rocket attacks launched by Gaza Terrorists,” the IDF said in its blog.
“We need to be ready for a prolonged campaign,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, standing beside his defense minister and chief of staff. “We will continue to act aggressively and responsibly until the mission is completed to protect our citizens, soldiers and children.”
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri struck a defiant tone in response to Netanyahu’s warnings.
“His threats do not scare Hamas or the Palestinian people and the occupation will pay the price for the massacres against civilians and children,” he said.
The IDF said a Hamas mortar attack on southern Israel killed at least four Israeli soldiers. Officials at Soroka Hospital said nine others were injured, most from shrapnel. The IDF said five other soldiers died in fighting, but gave no details.
The IDF blog also said that “terrorists infiltrated Israel from Gaza in order to attack an Israeli community near the border. IDF forces responded.” The blog later said one militant was killed and others were sought.
Other Palestinian deaths Monday included a 4-year-old boy who died when tank shells hit his family’s house in the Gaza town of Jabaliya, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.
Earlier, the IDF said its jets hit two rocket launchers and a rocket manufacturing facility in central and northern Gaza in three airstrikes ordered in response to Hamas rocket attacks on Israel. Hamas has fired more than 2,500 rockets into Israel, including several into Tel Aviv, since the Israeli military operation began, IDF said.
The Israeli military opened artillery fire on Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza in response to the rocket fired at Ashkelon, the office of Israel’s military spokesman said in a statement. “Quiet will be met with quiet,” it said.
More than 1,000 Palestinians have died in the conflict so far, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. Israel has lost 52 soldiers and three civilians, the Associated Press said.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/07/28/un-demands-gaza-cease-fire/13257629/
“More than 1,000 Palestinians have died in the conflict so far, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. Israel has lost 52 soldiers and three civilians, the Associated Press said.”
20 to 1.