Israel Steps Up Campaign in Gaza
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File photo. Credit: David Silverman/Getty Images(JERUSALEM) — Even as the United Nations relief agency for Palestinians warned of a grave humanitarian crisis, Israel intensified its air and ground offensive Tuesday against the militant group Hamas, striking key targets in Gaza.
To reduce casualties, Israel says it is making a point of giving non-combatants advance notice of impending rocket attacks but so far has not been able to avoid mass fatalities.
On Tuesday alone, more than 100 Palestinian were reported killed, bringing their death toll in the now 24-day conflict to more than 1,200. The Israelis have lost 53 soldiers in the fighting as well as three civilians killed by Hamas missile strikes.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Health Ministry alleged that 15 people where killed Wednesday morning when Israeli artillery struck a school the U.N. was using as a shelter. A spokesman for the Israeli military said he was investigating the claim.
According to the U.N. Relief and Works Agency, more than 200,000 Palestinians are staying in 85 shelters throughout Gaza, having been displaced by the Israeli offensive. With thousands more expected to crowd into these facilities each day, the UNRWA is pleading with Israel to halt its military operation.
However, all attempts at getting the two sides to stop fighting have not succeeded with only a few brief lulls to allow Palestinians to quickly gather necessities.
Israel says it wants a guarantee of security from Hamas but failing that, is determined to demilitarize Gaza by destroying the group’s weaponry and tunnels that lead into Israel.
Early Wednesday morning, Israel proposed a four-hour cease-fire period, but Hamas spokesman Sami abu Zohri rejected the offer, calling Israel’s announcement a PR move that carries no value because it keeps areas under shelling out of this ceasefire.
Hamas says it won’t stop fighting until Israel agrees to lift a blockade of Gaza that was imposed when it took control of the region in 2007.
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