President Abbas to ensure ceasefire, Israel continues warfare on Gaza

Wednesday December 31, 2008 19:06 by Rami Almeghari - IMEMC&Agencies

Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, will be heading to New York shortly to press for a U.N biding resolution that ensures an Israeli ceasefire against Gaza.

According to the WAFA News Agency, Abbas decided to go to New York after he was advised by the Secretary General of the Arab States league, Amr Mousa, on the ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.

On the ground, the Israeli Cabinet decided Wednesday to keep up Israeli military attacks on the coastal territory, as Israeli Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni, is set to pay a shuttle visit to Paris, where she is to meet with French officials for an update of the current crisis in Gaza.

Israeli military officials ordered the deployment of 2,500 Israeli reserve soldiers around the Gaza Strip, apparently in preparation of a ground offensive on the besieged Gaza.

Israeli aerial raids on Gaza entered its fifth day today increaseing the Palestinian death toll to approximately 390, while injuries are said to number almost 2000, including 200 seriously wounded.

Israel insists that the military attacks on Gaza will not stop until the objectives are achieved; submitting the ruling Hamas party in Gaza to recognition of Israel as well as a halt to homemade shell-fire from Gaza into nearby Israeli tows.

gaza strip | israeli attacks | news report rami at imemc dot org