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Israel launches fresh air strikes on Gaza | Israel launches fresh air strikes on Gaza |
(1 day later) | |
Israeli air strikes have pounded Gaza for a second day, in the worst violence in the region for almost a year. | Israeli air strikes have pounded Gaza for a second day, in the worst violence in the region for almost a year. |
Palestinian sources said at least 15 militants had been killed in the two days of fighting. | Palestinian sources said at least 15 militants had been killed in the two days of fighting. |
Israel says almost 100 rockets fired from Gaza have struck Israel since the exchange of fire began. | |
The US condemned the rocket attacks, calling them "cowardly", while the Arab League called the Israeli air strikes "a massacre". | The US condemned the rocket attacks, calling them "cowardly", while the Arab League called the Israeli air strikes "a massacre". |
The UN and the European Union have expressed concern and appealed for calm. | The UN and the European Union have expressed concern and appealed for calm. |
The latest flare-up began on Friday when an Israeli air strike on a car in Gaza City killed militant commander Zohair al-Qaisi, secretary general of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), and two of his associates. | The latest flare-up began on Friday when an Israeli air strike on a car in Gaza City killed militant commander Zohair al-Qaisi, secretary general of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC), and two of his associates. |
Gaza militants quickly unleashed a barrage of rockets toward southern Israeli communities. | Gaza militants quickly unleashed a barrage of rockets toward southern Israeli communities. |
Palestinian doctors said Israeli air strikes on Saturday killed one person near the southern town of Rafah on the border with Egypt and two more in Khan Younis. | Palestinian doctors said Israeli air strikes on Saturday killed one person near the southern town of Rafah on the border with Egypt and two more in Khan Younis. |
They said that at least 26 Palestinians had been wounded over the two days, five seriously. | They said that at least 26 Palestinians had been wounded over the two days, five seriously. |
Israeli officials said rocket attacks against Israel had injured four people. They said Israel's Iron Dome missile-interception system had taken out 28 rockets heading towards populated areas. | Israeli officials said rocket attacks against Israel had injured four people. They said Israel's Iron Dome missile-interception system had taken out 28 rockets heading towards populated areas. |
Schools in several southern Israeli communities closed on Sunday, affecting more than 200,000 students, Israeli media reported. | |
The Israeli army said it struck several targets inside Gaza including "a terrorist squad" planning to fire rockets. | The Israeli army said it struck several targets inside Gaza including "a terrorist squad" planning to fire rockets. |
It said the air strikes were "in direct response to the rocket fire at Israeli communities in southern Israel". | It said the air strikes were "in direct response to the rocket fire at Israeli communities in southern Israel". |
Defence Minister Ehud Barak said "the Israeli army will hit anyone planning to attack Israeli citizens". | Defence Minister Ehud Barak said "the Israeli army will hit anyone planning to attack Israeli citizens". |
'Dangerous escalation' | 'Dangerous escalation' |
The increase in violence alarmed world powers trying to bring peace talks between Palestinians and Israelis back on track. | |
US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Washington condemned "in the strongest terms" the rocket fire from Gaza, saying the attacks had "dramatically and dangerously escalated". | US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Washington condemned "in the strongest terms" the rocket fire from Gaza, saying the attacks had "dramatically and dangerously escalated". |
"We call on those responsible to take immediate action to stop these cowardly acts," she said. | "We call on those responsible to take immediate action to stop these cowardly acts," she said. |
The Arab League issued a statement accusing Israel of carrying out a "massacre". | The Arab League issued a statement accusing Israel of carrying out a "massacre". |
It called for a tough stance from the international community against the Jewish state. | It called for a tough stance from the international community against the Jewish state. |
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said the bloc was "following with concern the recent escalation of violence in Gaza and in the south of Israel". | EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said the bloc was "following with concern the recent escalation of violence in Gaza and in the south of Israel". |
"It is essential to avoid further escalation and I urge all sides to re-establish calm," she said. | "It is essential to avoid further escalation and I urge all sides to re-establish calm," she said. |
UN spokesman Richard Miron called the situation in Gaza "very fragile and unsustainable". | UN spokesman Richard Miron called the situation in Gaza "very fragile and unsustainable". |
"We deplore the fact that civilians are once again paying the price," he said. | "We deplore the fact that civilians are once again paying the price," he said. |
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