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UN ceasefire call goes unheeded UN ceasefire call goes unheeded
(30 minutes later)
Israel is to keep up its offensive in the Gaza Strip despite a UN call for an immediate end to nearly two weeks of conflict involving Hamas militants.Israel is to keep up its offensive in the Gaza Strip despite a UN call for an immediate end to nearly two weeks of conflict involving Hamas militants.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the latest firing of rockets into Israel showed the resolution was "unworkable".Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the latest firing of rockets into Israel showed the resolution was "unworkable".
The Security Council resolution demanded a truce, access for aid workers and an end to arms smuggling.The Security Council resolution demanded a truce, access for aid workers and an end to arms smuggling.
Israel continued its bombardment during the night and on Friday morning, carrying out at least 50 air strikes.Israel continued its bombardment during the night and on Friday morning, carrying out at least 50 air strikes.
However Israeli military operations have now again been paused for three hours to allow aid in.However Israeli military operations have now again been paused for three hours to allow aid in.
We were not consulted about this resolution and they have not taken into account the interests of our people Ayman Taha Hamas spokesmanWe were not consulted about this resolution and they have not taken into account the interests of our people Ayman Taha Hamas spokesman
Seventy-five lorries carrying food and medicine will be allowed into Gaza, Israel says.Seventy-five lorries carrying food and medicine will be allowed into Gaza, Israel says.
Hamas has also dismissed the UN ceasefire call.Hamas has also dismissed the UN ceasefire call.
Ayman Taha, a Hamas spokesman in Gaza, said: "Even though we are the main actors on the ground in Gaza, we were not consulted about this resolution and they have not taken into account our vision and the interests of our people."Ayman Taha, a Hamas spokesman in Gaza, said: "Even though we are the main actors on the ground in Gaza, we were not consulted about this resolution and they have not taken into account our vision and the interests of our people."
Since the current conflict began on 27 December, it is estimated that 770 Palestinians and 14 Israelis have been killed.Since the current conflict began on 27 December, it is estimated that 770 Palestinians and 14 Israelis have been killed.
In the West Bank town of Ramallah, thousands of people poured out of mosques after Friday prayers to join demonstrations showing their solidarity with the people of Gaza.In the West Bank town of Ramallah, thousands of people poured out of mosques after Friday prayers to join demonstrations showing their solidarity with the people of Gaza.
The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Ramallah says there have been other demonstrations like this in the West Bank and elsewhere, but many people feel their calls for an end to the violence in Gaza are not being heard by the outside world.The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Ramallah says there have been other demonstrations like this in the West Bank and elsewhere, but many people feel their calls for an end to the violence in Gaza are not being heard by the outside world.
Other rallies took place in the region after Friday prayers, with the largest, in the Egyptian city of Alexandria, attracting some 50,000 people, officials said.
Thousands of demonstrators also rallied in Kuwait, Jordan and Syria. Smaller protests were staged in Asia and a number of European cities.
'Murderous organisations''Murderous organisations'
Israel's security cabinet met on Friday morning, hours after the Security Council vote.Israel's security cabinet met on Friday morning, hours after the Security Council vote.
"The firing of rockets this morning only goes to show that the UN decision is unworkable and will not be adhered to by the murderous Palestinian organisations," Ehud Olmert said in a statement."The firing of rockets this morning only goes to show that the UN decision is unworkable and will not be adhered to by the murderous Palestinian organisations," Ehud Olmert said in a statement.
GAZA CRISIS BACKGROUND Profile: Gaza StripQ&A: Gaza conflictWho are Hamas?Middle East conflict: History in mapsGAZA CRISIS BACKGROUND Profile: Gaza StripQ&A: Gaza conflictWho are Hamas?Middle East conflict: History in maps
According to Israeli media reports, Hamas militants fired at least 20 rockets at southern Israel on Friday morning.According to Israeli media reports, Hamas militants fired at least 20 rockets at southern Israel on Friday morning.
Officials in Mr Ehud's office were quoted as saying "the Israeli military will continue to protect Israeli civilians and carry out its missions".Officials in Mr Ehud's office were quoted as saying "the Israeli military will continue to protect Israeli civilians and carry out its missions".
Israeli planes launched fresh strikes on targets in Gaza overnight, and at least five members of one family were killed in one attack, witnesses said.Israeli planes launched fresh strikes on targets in Gaza overnight, and at least five members of one family were killed in one attack, witnesses said.
In a report which could not be verified independently, Hamas said a bomb had flattened a five-storey apartment block in northern Gaza.In a report which could not be verified independently, Hamas said a bomb had flattened a five-storey apartment block in northern Gaza.
Meanwhile, witnesses have told a UN agency that about 30 Palestinians died earlier this week as Israeli forces shelled a house in Gaza City's Zeitoun district into which Israeli soldiers had previously moved more than 100 people, half of them children.Meanwhile, witnesses have told a UN agency that about 30 Palestinians died earlier this week as Israeli forces shelled a house in Gaza City's Zeitoun district into which Israeli soldiers had previously moved more than 100 people, half of them children.
Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor denied the reports, saying no Israeli soldiers had been in the area on the day the incident was supposed to have happened.Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Yigal Palmor denied the reports, saying no Israeli soldiers had been in the area on the day the incident was supposed to have happened.
Separately, the UN human rights body has demanded that human rights monitors be deployed in Gaza, Israel and the West Bank so that any violations of international law can be documented independently.Separately, the UN human rights body has demanded that human rights monitors be deployed in Gaza, Israel and the West Bank so that any violations of international law can be documented independently.
Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said some reported breaches of international law could constitute war crimes "for which individual criminal responsibility may be invoked".Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said some reported breaches of international law could constitute war crimes "for which individual criminal responsibility may be invoked".
'Durable ceasefire''Durable ceasefire'
Fourteen out of 15 Security Council members backed a resolution on the Gaza crisis, with the US abstaining.Fourteen out of 15 Security Council members backed a resolution on the Gaza crisis, with the US abstaining.
Gaza survivors' accountsGaza offensive - in mapsIn pictures: Conflict continuesGaza survivors' accountsGaza offensive - in mapsIn pictures: Conflict continues
The motion called for an "immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire" leading to the "full withdrawal" of Israeli forces from Gaza.The motion called for an "immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire" leading to the "full withdrawal" of Israeli forces from Gaza.
It also demanded "the unimpeded provision and distribution throughout Gaza of humanitarian assistance", measures to prevent arms smuggling to Palestinian militants and the opening of border crossings into Gaza.It also demanded "the unimpeded provision and distribution throughout Gaza of humanitarian assistance", measures to prevent arms smuggling to Palestinian militants and the opening of border crossings into Gaza.
The US abstained, thinking it "important to see the outcomes of the Egyptian mediation efforts, in order to see what this resolution might have been supporting", US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice explained.The US abstained, thinking it "important to see the outcomes of the Egyptian mediation efforts, in order to see what this resolution might have been supporting", US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice explained.
Israeli officials visited Cairo on Thursday to hear details of a plan put forward by Egypt and France.Israeli officials visited Cairo on Thursday to hear details of a plan put forward by Egypt and France.
A Hamas delegation was also expected in the Egyptian capital at some stage for parallel "technical" talks, Egyptian diplomats said.A Hamas delegation was also expected in the Egyptian capital at some stage for parallel "technical" talks, Egyptian diplomats said.
Israel wants to stop rocket attacks on southern Israel and to stop Hamas smuggling weapons into Gaza via Egypt, while Hamas says any ceasefire deal must include an end to Israel's blockade of Gaza.Israel wants to stop rocket attacks on southern Israel and to stop Hamas smuggling weapons into Gaza via Egypt, while Hamas says any ceasefire deal must include an end to Israel's blockade of Gaza.
The Security Council's near-unanimous vote represents an important diplomatic punctuation mark in this crisis, correspondents say.
But the US abstention weakened the impact of the vote because Washington's support would have placed more pressure on Israel to halt its offensive, they add.


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