Gaza death toll passes 510

5 Jan 2009, 6:26 am   -   Source: AFP/AAP
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Tens of thousands of Israeli troops backed by tanks battled Hamas fighters in Gaza as the death toll from the offensive to end militant rocket attacks passed 510.

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Tens of thousands of Israeli troops backed by tanks are battling Hamas fighters in Gaza as the death toll from the offensive to end militant rocket attacks passed 510.

Israeli forces moved into the fringe of Gaza City while families fled or hid in cellars awaiting a second night of combat.

The Israeli government fought off intense international pressure over its biggest military operation since its 2006 war in Lebanon.

At least 63 Palestinians were killed by tank shells or missiles fired from warplanes since the ground offensive was launched on Saturday night, Gaza medics said on Sunday.

Israeli soldier killed, 30 wounded

An Israeli army spokeswoman says the first Israeli soldier has been killed by a mortar shell in the area of Beit Lahiya in the clashes.
 
About 30 soldiers have been injured since the start of Israel's massive ground assault in Gaza late on Saturday.

Columns of Israeli troops and tanks surrounded Gaza City and fighting was reported in outer districts. Fierce clashes were also reported around the northern towns of Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanun and Jabaliya.

Explosions and machine gun fire rocked the territory of 1.5 million people. Hamas fighters fired mortar rounds and detonated roadside bombs in front of the advancing troops, witnesses said.

Moawiya Hassanein, head of Gaza medical emergency services, told AFP the number of Palestinians killed since the Israeli operation was launched on December 27 was now 512, including 87 children.

Five members of the same family died when one tank shell hit their car near Gaza City, emergency services said.   

Three ambulance workers were killed when they were hit by a missile as they helped wounded victims of the conflict, medics said.

Aid groups said the offensive had aggravated a humanitarian crisis for the population, who have no electricity, no water and now face dire food shortages. Hospitals were only running on backup generators.

Egypt calls for humanitarian corridors in Gaza

And Egypt has called for the creation of humanitarian corridors in Gaza to allow food and medicine to be brought in as Israeli air strikes forced the closure of its Rafah crossing to aid and the wounded.

A statement says Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit sent letters to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and the foreign ministers of the Security Council's five permanent members asking them to consider the proposal. 

Israeli troops, tanks reach Gaza City

Israeli troops and tanks took over areas around Gaza City on Sunday. Heavy fighting was also reported around the northern towns of Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanun and Jabaliya.
 
Regular explosions shook the ground and machine gun fire echoed across the enclave, home to 1.5 million people, which has been under an Israeli blockade for months.
 
Hamas fighters fired mortar rounds and detonated roadside bombs in front of advancing Israeli troops, witnesses said.

But the Israeli army took control of the Salaheddine Road, the main highway along the length of the enclave, and caught Gaza City in a pincer movement.

War is no picnic: Barak
 
Defence Minister Ehud Barak said "the operation will be expanded and intensified as much as necessary. War is not a picnic."

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the Gaza offensive had been "unavoidable" but Israel would not open a new front in the north, a veiled reference to tensions with the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.

Four Israeli killed by rockets

Olmert said he had ordered the army to be "extremely alert" in case "someone might think that this is his opportunity to take advantage" of the conflict in Gaza.
 
Israel unleashed "Operation Cast Lead" with the declared aim of ending rocket attacks into Israel from Gaza that resumed after a six-month truce ended in December.
 
Rocket fire over the past week has killed four people in Israel. Thirty-two rockets and mortar rounds were fired across the border on Sunday and hit Sderot, Ashdod and other towns, lightly injuring three people.
 
Schools in southern Israel remain closed. Streets clear as soon as siren alerts of incoming rockets are sounded by authorities.

Israel's offensive has sparked spiralling anger in the Muslim world and protests across the globe.
 
Israeli troops shot and killed a protester during a demonstration in the West Bank on Sunday. Tens of thousands of Turks also staged an anti-Israeli rally in Istanbul.

UN fails to agree on key statement

International efforts to halt the conflict sought new impetus after the UN Security Council failed even to agree on the wording of a statement on the conflict, with the United States giving strong backing to Israel.

A Russian presidential envoy and an EU ministerial delegation headed to the Middle East on Sunday to make pleas for a ceasefire.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhum condemned the Security Council action as "a farce" dominated by the United States, which has strongly supported Israel.
 
Deputy US ambassador to the United Nations Alejandro Wolff said: "The efforts we are making internationally are designed to establish a sustainable, durable ceasefire that's respected by all.

And that means no more rocket attacks. It means no more smuggling of arms."

France has led criticism of the Israeli offensive that Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas warned would have "grave consequences" for the region.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy was to hold talks on Monday with Olmert in Jerusalem and Abbas in Ramallah.

French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner called the attack a "dangerous military escalation" that would undermine truce efforts.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the Israeli ground offensive had created a "very dangerous moment" in the conflict.

Egypt summoned the ambassadors of the UN Security Council's five permanent members -- Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States -- to protest against the delay in passing a ceasefire resolution.
 
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana called for an immediate ceasefire, adding that European nations were ready to contribute international monitors to help.

Israel has called a snap general election for February 10, and the current leadership has widespread public support for the offensive.
 

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Your Comments

What would we do

Ken - from Perth, 3 years ago

What would Australia do if we were continually bombarded by rockets from another country - just sit back and take it, even when the rockets are getting bigger and closer to main population centres. I don't think so!

Absolutely outraged

Robert Thomson - from Brisbane, 3 years ago

The Israeli actions in Gaza are totally unacceptable. Israel is simply using the amateurish rocket attacks by Hamas militants as a pretext for unleashing yet another phase of its ongoing campaign of ethnic cleansing - and the Western world, with its pretence of civilisation and professed interest in human rights and rule of just law should be condemned for sitting idly by and allowing this murder to continue. I am absolutely disgusted at the Australian government's nothing response to this evil.

Absolutely disgusting

Concerned - from Melbourne, 3 years ago

I'm so appalled and disgusted with whats going on, and I can't believe the international community is doing nothing about it. If this was happening anywhere else in the world, it would have been stopped. This is clearly a was against Islam and Muslims, and I completely separate myself from anyone who condones these actions.

Shame on Israel

Moayad Ismail - from Melbourne, 3 years ago

I don't believe what I am hearing. Acting in defence??? They blockade on Gaza has been going on for the past 2 years, they cut off electricity, water and aid whenever they want!! Targeting of mosques and people in prayer, markets, schools and civil infrastructure is terrorism. Hamas has stated that they will stop the rockets if Israel stops the blockade, the killing and open the borders. A fair request if you ask me!!! Just seems that Israel does not want peace.

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