Eleven Palestinians killed, Israel decides to bar humanitarian aid

Sunday January 04, 2009 11:21 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Palestinian medical sources in the Gaza Strip reported on Sunday morning, that as the Israeli Army continued to advance into the Gaza Strip, and the resistance continued to clash with the invading forces; at least eleven Palestinians were killed on the eighth day of the Israeli offensive, and dozens have been wounded. The Israeli Army reported that 30 soldiers were wounded, at least one seriously. At least 470 residents, including 75 children and 37 women, have been killed, and over 2,500 wounded during the ongoing Israeli offensive.

Image by Reuters

The ground invasion in the Gaza Strip was kicked off on Saturday morning. Infantry troops, tanks and armored vehicles invaded the Gaza Strip from several directions under the cover of artillery shells and air strikes.

Soldiers invaded Gaza City from the east, while tanks were stationed at the former Nitzarim settlement, firing shells at hundreds of homes. Several injuries have been, dozens of homes shelled.

Resistance fighters clashed with the invading forces in Al Zeitoun neighborhood and in Al Shujaeyya, firing dozens of mortar shells at the Israeli Army; at least thirty soldiers were wounded, two seriously.

Israeli tanks advanced towards Beit Hanoun and closed the main road that links the city with Gaza.

Soldiers also invaded an area close to the American School in Beit Lahia and fired shells at the surrounding areas.

Sounds of explosions were heard over night, and during early morning hours in several parts of the Gaza Strip, especially in Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahia.

During night hours, soldiers killed four Palestinians in Beit Hanoun, two in Beit Lahia, three in Al Shujaeyya, and one in Khan Younis, several residents were wounded.

In Rafah, the Israeli Army killed one Palestinian and wounded several others during clashes with resistance fighters.

Furthermore, Israeli sources stated that 30 soldiers were wounded since the Israel started its ground offensive on Saturday evening.

The Israeli Air Force shelled at least 45 targets in several parts of the Gaza Strip, including tunnels and warehouses claimed to be used as storage for ammunition.

Soldiers, armored vehicles and tanks invaded an area close to Juhr Ad Deek in the central Gaza Strip, shelled a home in Jabalia and several areas in Al Mighraqa, several injuries were reported.

Troops fired missiles at Al Shouka town, east of Rafah, and wounded at least five residents.

The Gaza Strip did not sleep as Israeli Navy boats, tanks, artillery cannons and the Israeli Air Force shelled different areas including areas across the coast, the border, while also shelling a gas station and local radio and TV agencies.

The Israeli Army also hacked several local radio stations, threatened further shelling, and said that the residents should leave their homes.

It is worth mentioning that on Saturday evening, the Israel Army shelled a crowded mosque during evening prayers, and killed ten Palestinians, including two children; at least twenty others were wounded.

Also on Saturday, the Israeli Army killed four Palestinians near the Salah Ed Deen Gate in Gaza, while two others were killed after the Israeli Air Force shelled their vehicle in Khan Younis, at least one resident was wounded.

It is worth mentioning that a website affiliated with Hamas, reported on Sunday that resistance fighters of the Al Qassam Brigades of Hamas, apparently managed to capture an Israeli soldier, the Israeli military and media agencies did not report any abduction among Israeli soldiers.

In related news, Israel announced on Sunday that it will not allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, due to the ongoing ground offensive. Israeli security officials said that the Israeli security would decide in the coming days whether to allow trucks carrying humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip.

Israeli media sources reported that the army managed to divide the Gaza Strip into three parts, and that, currently, thousands of soldiers are inside Gaza.

On Saturday evening, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, phoned UN Secretary-General, Ban ki-Moon, and demanded him to immediately intervene and stop the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Nabil Abu Rodeina, Palestinian presidency spokesperson, told France Press that President Abbas demanded international protection to the Palestinian civilians, and discussed with ki-Moon the importance of holding a session at the Security Council in order to make a decision obliging Israel to stop its military escalation.

At least 470 Palestinians have been killed in the ongoing Israeli offensive which started eight days ago, and nearly 2,500 residents have been wounded. According to initial sources, 75 children and 37 women are among the 470 slain residents.

It is worth mentioning that the official number of casualties could be much higher than reported, as dozens of wounded residents who suffered mild or even moderate injuries were release without registration due to the overcrowded hospitals as the Israeli offensive continues.

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