Israel Continues Air Strikes in Gaza Strip
09 July 2006
Israel pounded the Gaza Strip with fresh air raids and artillery Sunday, after rebuffing a proposed ceasefire by the Palestinian prime minister.
Palestinian medical officials say at least three militants were wounded in an air strike near the Karni commercial crossing between Gaza and Israel. Witnesses also reported heavy shelling in eastern and northern Gaza.
Earlier Sunday, two rockets landed in the Israeli town of Sderot, wounding at least one person. The armed wing of the ruling Palestinian militant group Hamas said it launched the rockets.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh called for an Israeli and militant ceasefire Saturday to halt violence that has killed at least 40 Palestinians and an Israeli soldier since Israel began a military operation in Gaza nearly two weeks ago.
Israel says the offensive will continue until militants release a soldier captured two weeks ago, and stop firing rockets into Israel.
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan appealed for urgent action to alleviate the plight of civilians in Gaza. In a statement Saturday, Mr. Annan called on Israel to restore fuel supplies and guarantee the passage of food and other supplies to Gaza.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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