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UN ceasefire call goes unheeded UN ceasefire call goes unheeded
(9 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". Hamas has also dismissed the UN's call.Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the latest firing of rockets into Israel showed the resolution was "unworkable". Hamas has also dismissed the UN's call.
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.
A top UN official has said one Israeli action could constitute a war crime.A top UN official has said one Israeli action could constitute a war crime.
Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, was referring to the alleged failure of the Israeli military to help wounded civilians in Gaza, in an incident revealed by the International Committee of the Red Cross on Thursday.Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, was referring to the alleged failure of the Israeli military to help wounded civilians in Gaza, in an incident revealed by the International Committee of the Red Cross on Thursday.
The ICRC said its staff had found four weak and scared children beside their mothers' bodies in houses hit by shelling in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City. We were not consulted about this resolution and they have not taken into account the interests of our people Ayman Taha Hamas spokesman Why Gaza war looks sets to go onGaza survivors' accounts < class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7820876.stm">In pictures: Prayers and protests /CPS:BOX> The ICRC said its staff had found four weak and scared children beside their mothers' bodies in houses hit by shelling in the Zeitoun neighbourhood of Gaza City. We were not consulted about this resolution and they have not taken into account the interests of our people Ayman Taha Hamas spokesman Why Gaza war looks sets to go onGaza survivors' accounts class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7820876.stm">In pictures: Prayers and protests
Ms Pillay told the BBC: "The incident the Red Cross describes is very troubling because it has all the elements of what constitutes a war crime.Ms Pillay told the BBC: "The incident the Red Cross describes is very troubling because it has all the elements of what constitutes a war crime.
"There is an obligation to protect the wounded, to treat the sick, to remove them to safety and here, according to the Red Cross, Israeli soldiers just stood by and did nothing for these four children and one adult who were too weak to move.""There is an obligation to protect the wounded, to treat the sick, to remove them to safety and here, according to the Red Cross, Israeli soldiers just stood by and did nothing for these four children and one adult who were too weak to move."
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.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.
Israel continued its bombardment overnight and on Friday morning, before pausing operations for three hours in the afternoon to allow supplies to be brought in for Gaza's residents.Israel continued its bombardment overnight and on Friday morning, before pausing operations for three hours in the afternoon to allow supplies to be brought in for Gaza's residents.
However, Israeli army spokesman Capt Eli Isaacson told the BBC that during that period, two rockets had been fired from Gaza towards Israel and that Israeli forces had returned fire.However, Israeli army spokesman Capt Eli Isaacson told the BBC that during that period, two rockets had been fired from Gaza towards Israel and that Israeli forces had returned fire.
Witnesses told the AFP news agency that targets in Jabaliya and Beit Lahiya in the north and in Zeitoun had been shelled.Witnesses told the AFP news agency that targets in Jabaliya and Beit Lahiya in the north and in Zeitoun had been shelled.
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.
Some 50,000 people demonstrated in Egypt against the Gaza conflictSome 50,000 people demonstrated in Egypt against the Gaza conflict
Hamas said it had rejected the UN's call for an immediate ceasefire because it was not to the advantage of the Palestinian people.Hamas said it had rejected the UN's call for an immediate ceasefire because it was not to the advantage of the Palestinian 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."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 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 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.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.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 maps Officials in Mr Ehud's office were quoted as saying "the Israeli military will continue to protect Israeli civilians and carry out its missions".GAZA CRISIS BACKGROUND Profile: Gaza StripQ&A: Gaza conflictWho are Hamas?Middle East conflict: History in maps 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 told a UN agency that about 30 Palestinians had 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 told a UN agency that about 30 Palestinians had 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.
'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 offensive - in maps The motion called for an "immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire" leading to the "full withdrawal" of Israeli forces from Gaza.Gaza offensive - in maps 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.
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.


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