GAZA CITY, 2 March 2008 — Israel killed 52 Gazans — including women and children — and injured more than a hundred in a ground incursion yesterday deep into the Gaza Strip, making Saturday the deadliest day of Israeli-Palestinian fighting in the Hamas-ruled territory in over a year.
An Israeli undercover unit, backed by tanks, drones and warplanes, pushed into the town and refugee camp of Jabaliya in northern Gaza Strip. A heavy exchange of gunfire erupted when Palestinian resistance groups discovered the troops, leading to Israeli warplanes firing rockets and missiles. Those killed included at least four children and three women, said Dr. Muawiya Hassanein, head of Gaza emergency services. At least 12 of those killed were fighters, 10 from Hamas and two from Islamic Jihad.
According to Israeli media sources, five Israeli soldiers were also wounded. An army spokeswoman said about 40 rockets were fired into Israel yesterday.
At least 80 Palestinians have been killed in four days of intense Israeli attacks in Gaza. Israel said it was responding to cross-border rockets, which killed an Israeli man in the border town of Sderot on Wednesday and wounded others in the southern city of Ashkelon. Hamas said the rocket attacks were a response to Israeli raids into Gaza and the West Bank.
Reactions
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called the Israeli actions “unbelievable” and said what is happening “is more than a holocaust,” a reference to comments made on Friday by Deputy Israeli Defense Minister Matan Vilnai, who had warned Gazans they risked a “shoah” if rocket fire did not end. An aide said Vilnai meant “disaster” rather than “holocaust” — the word’s common meaning. “I do not think what Israel is doing is in retaliation to the missiles, which we condemn,” said Abbas. The high death toll could increase pressure on Abbas to suspend peace talks. Although rocket fire has long disrupted life in southern Israeli towns, the killing of an Israeli on Wednesday has put pressure on Israeli prime minister to increase military action.
“We will respond to any aggression ... with all available means,” said Abu Obeida, a spokesman for Hamas’ military wing. Hamas’ chief Khaled Meshaal also blamed his Fatah rivals for helping along Israel’s attacks.
— With input from agencies
