The Israeli incursion into the Gaza Strip continued on Tuesday (6 January), reaching Gaza city, despite international calls for ceasefire and multiplying diplomatic efforts in the region. Israeli troops clashed with Palestinian militants on the edge of the densely populated Gaza City, home to around 1.4 million people, on Monday night, with fighting still raging in the city in the early hours of Tuesday, news agencies report. Israeli tanks have rolled into Khan Yunis, the largest city in the southern Gaza Strip Israeli tanks also entered Khan Yunis, the largest city in southern Gaza. The third night of Israel's ground assault - the eleventh day of the war on Gaza - brings the death toll on the Palestinian side to around 550 people, including around 100 children, according to emergency services figures reported by the AFP news agency. More than 2,500 have been wounded.
The Israeli incursion into the Gaza Strip continued on Tuesday (6 January), reaching Gaza city, despite international calls for ceasefire and multiplying diplomatic efforts in the region.
Israeli troops clashed with Palestinian militants on the edge of the densely populated Gaza City, home to around 1.4 million people, on Monday night, with fighting still raging in the city in the early hours of Tuesday, news agencies report.
Israeli tanks have rolled into Khan Yunis, the largest city in the southern Gaza Strip
Israeli tanks also entered Khan Yunis, the largest city in southern Gaza.
The third night of Israel's ground assault - the eleventh day of the war on Gaza - brings the death toll on the Palestinian side to around 550 people, including around 100 children, according to emergency services figures reported by the AFP news agency.
More than 2,500 have been wounded.
GAZA (Reuters) - Israeli shelling killed more than 40 Palestinians Tuesday at a U.N. school where civilians had taken shelter, medical officials said, in carnage likely to boost international pressure on Israel to halt a Gaza offensive. An army spokesman said troops fired mortars at the premises after gunmen mortared their positions from inside al-Fakhora school in Jabalya refugee camp. He gave no casualty figure. People cut down by shrapnel lay in pools of blood in the street. Witnesses said two shells exploded outside the school, killing at least 42 civilians and wounding dozens among people who had taken refuge there and residents of nearby buildings. It took the Palestinian death toll in 11 days of violence to over 600 and prompted U.S. President-elect Barack Obama to break his silence on the offensive, to say the loss of life among civilians was "a source of deep concern" for him.
GAZA (Reuters) - Israeli shelling killed more than 40 Palestinians Tuesday at a U.N. school where civilians had taken shelter, medical officials said, in carnage likely to boost international pressure on Israel to halt a Gaza offensive.
An army spokesman said troops fired mortars at the premises after gunmen mortared their positions from inside al-Fakhora school in Jabalya refugee camp. He gave no casualty figure.
People cut down by shrapnel lay in pools of blood in the street. Witnesses said two shells exploded outside the school, killing at least 42 civilians and wounding dozens among people who had taken refuge there and residents of nearby buildings.
It took the Palestinian death toll in 11 days of violence to over 600 and prompted U.S. President-elect Barack Obama to break his silence on the offensive, to say the loss of life among civilians was "a source of deep concern" for him.
An Israeli strike on a UN school killed at least 46 Palestinian civilians Tuesday, in the deadliest single incident since Israel launched its Gaza offensive, and one which is likely to increase pressure over a ceasefire. It came only hours before the UN Security Council was scheduled to debate a draft resolution by Arab member states, calling for an immediate end to the Israeli offensive and for the protection of civilians. Gaza emergency services chief Mo'aweya Hassanein told reporters that more than 150 were injured in the strike just outside the al- Fakhoura school in the Jabaliya refugee camp, north of Gaza City. Hundreds of civilians had been taking shelter from nearby fighting in the camp's boys elementary school, run by the UN's agency for Palestinian refugees (UNWRA). The UN said three Israeli artillery shells fell next to the school. The Israeli military said it was checking the reports. Witnesses said the school was hit shortly after local militants fired mortar shells from near the school at the Israeli tanks.
It came only hours before the UN Security Council was scheduled to debate a draft resolution by Arab member states, calling for an immediate end to the Israeli offensive and for the protection of civilians. Gaza emergency services chief Mo'aweya Hassanein told reporters that more than 150 were injured in the strike just outside the al- Fakhoura school in the Jabaliya refugee camp, north of Gaza City.
Hundreds of civilians had been taking shelter from nearby fighting in the camp's boys elementary school, run by the UN's agency for Palestinian refugees (UNWRA). The UN said three Israeli artillery shells fell next to the school. The Israeli military said it was checking the reports. Witnesses said the school was hit shortly after local militants fired mortar shells from near the school at the Israeli tanks.
As the international community says that Israel's image is suffering, Red Cross officials called the last 24 hours the most terrifying night yet of violence in Gaza. Pierre Kraehenbuehl, the International Committee of the Red Cross' head of operation, said on Tuesday, Jan. 6, that the military offensive against Palestinian rocket squads launched by Israel in late December has left up to 600 dead and as many as 3000 injured in Gaza so far. Many Gazans have been left without electricity or running water, thousands have been displaced from their homes and residents say food supplies are running thin.
Pierre Kraehenbuehl, the International Committee of the Red Cross' head of operation, said on Tuesday, Jan. 6, that the military offensive against Palestinian rocket squads launched by Israel in late December has left up to 600 dead and as many as 3000 injured in Gaza so far.
Many Gazans have been left without electricity or running water, thousands have been displaced from their homes and residents say food supplies are running thin.
The hostilities between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas are having repercussions for European Muslims and Jews. Countries throughout the continent are reporting an increase of anti-Jewish acts. French President Nicolas Sarkozy warned on Tuesday, January 6 that his country would not tolerate violence between Muslim and Jewish communities because of the ongoing conflict. The admonition came after a burning car was rammed into the gates of a synagogue in Toulouse late Monday evening. No one was hurt, but local Jewish leader Armand Partouche said that people were inside the building at the time and could have been injured or even killed.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy warned on Tuesday, January 6 that his country would not tolerate violence between Muslim and Jewish communities because of the ongoing conflict.
The admonition came after a burning car was rammed into the gates of a synagogue in Toulouse late Monday evening.
No one was hurt, but local Jewish leader Armand Partouche said that people were inside the building at the time and could have been injured or even killed.
The civilian death toll in Gaza increased dramatically today, with reports of more than 40 Palestinians killed after missiles exploded outside a UN school where hundreds of people were sheltering from the continuing Israeli offensive.Two Israeli tank shells struck the school in Jabaliya refugee camp, spraying shrapnel on people inside and outside the building, according to news agency reports.The medical director of the hospital in Jabaliya told the Guardian 41 bodies had been brought in so far and more could be on the way. Reuters journalists filmed bodies scattered on the ground amid pools of blood and torn shoes and clothes. In addition to the dead, several dozen people were wounded, hospital officials said. The Israeli military said it was looking into the reports.A United Nations official in Gaza said the school was clearly marked with a UN flag and its location had been reported to Israeli authorities. John Ging, director of operations in Gaza for UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, said that three artillery shells landed at the perimeter of the school where 350 people were taking shelter. "Of course it was entirely inevitable if artillery shells landed in that area there would be a high number of casualties," he said.
The civilian death toll in Gaza increased dramatically today, with reports of more than 40 Palestinians killed after missiles exploded outside a UN school where hundreds of people were sheltering from the continuing Israeli offensive.
Two Israeli tank shells struck the school in Jabaliya refugee camp, spraying shrapnel on people inside and outside the building, according to news agency reports.
The medical director of the hospital in Jabaliya told the Guardian 41 bodies had been brought in so far and more could be on the way. Reuters journalists filmed bodies scattered on the ground amid pools of blood and torn shoes and clothes. In addition to the dead, several dozen people were wounded, hospital officials said. The Israeli military said it was looking into the reports.
A United Nations official in Gaza said the school was clearly marked with a UN flag and its location had been reported to Israeli authorities. John Ging, director of operations in Gaza for UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, said that three artillery shells landed at the perimeter of the school where 350 people were taking shelter. "Of course it was entirely inevitable if artillery shells landed in that area there would be a high number of casualties," he said.
Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, today flew to Syria to urge President Bashar al-Assad to pressure Hamas for a ceasefire in Gaza, as the fighting with Israel entered its 11th day."I know the importance of Syria in this region and its influence on a number of players," Sarkozy said in Damascus. "I don't have any doubt that President Bashar al-Assad will throw all his weight to convince everyone to return to reason."Assad condemned the Gaza offensive. "We have to immediately stop the barbaric Israeli aggression in Gaza," he said at a joint press conference with Sarkozy. "Thirty percent of the victims are children under the age of 10, and Gaza is now a concentration camp."
Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, today flew to Syria to urge President Bashar al-Assad to pressure Hamas for a ceasefire in Gaza, as the fighting with Israel entered its 11th day.
"I know the importance of Syria in this region and its influence on a number of players," Sarkozy said in Damascus. "I don't have any doubt that President Bashar al-Assad will throw all his weight to convince everyone to return to reason."
Assad condemned the Gaza offensive. "We have to immediately stop the barbaric Israeli aggression in Gaza," he said at a joint press conference with Sarkozy. "Thirty percent of the victims are children under the age of 10, and Gaza is now a concentration camp."
Israeli tank shells killed at least 40 Palestinians today at a UN school where civilians had taken shelter, medical officials said, in carnage likely to boost international calls for a halt to Israel's Gaza offensive. An Israeli military spokeswoman said she was looking into information on the incident at al-Fakhora school in Jabalya refugee camp. People cut down by shrapnel lay in pools of blood on the street. Witnesses said two Israeli tanks shells exploded outside the school, killing at least 40 civilians - Palestinians who had taken refuge there and residents of nearby buildings. In a separate attack earlier in the day, three Palestinians were killed in an airstrike on another school run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. The deaths raised to 75 the number of Palestinian civilians killed on Tuesday alone, according to medical officials.
Israeli tank shells killed at least 40 Palestinians today at a UN school where civilians had taken shelter, medical officials said, in carnage likely to boost international calls for a halt to Israel's Gaza offensive.
An Israeli military spokeswoman said she was looking into information on the incident at al-Fakhora school in Jabalya refugee camp.
People cut down by shrapnel lay in pools of blood on the street. Witnesses said two Israeli tanks shells exploded outside the school, killing at least 40 civilians - Palestinians who had taken refuge there and residents of nearby buildings.
In a separate attack earlier in the day, three Palestinians were killed in an airstrike on another school run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.
The deaths raised to 75 the number of Palestinian civilians killed on Tuesday alone, according to medical officials.
A ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is attainable within days if the smuggling routes which supply arms and money to Hamas can be shut down, international envoy Tony Blair said today. Mr Blair said that the Hamas movement, which holds power in the Palestinian enclave, is in contact with Egypt over the issue and that Cairo is prepared in principle to take action. All "responsible" players in the region should be working towards an immediate cessation of the hostilities which have now entered their 11th day, he said. The former Prime Minister was speaking in Jerusalem after an intense night of fighting in Gaza as Israeli forces expanded their ground and air offensive.
A ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is attainable within days if the smuggling routes which supply arms and money to Hamas can be shut down, international envoy Tony Blair said today.
Mr Blair said that the Hamas movement, which holds power in the Palestinian enclave, is in contact with Egypt over the issue and that Cairo is prepared in principle to take action. All "responsible" players in the region should be working towards an immediate cessation of the hostilities which have now entered their 11th day, he said.
The former Prime Minister was speaking in Jerusalem after an intense night of fighting in Gaza as Israeli forces expanded their ground and air offensive.
Heavy fighting was under way in the north of Gaza City last night as the Israeli Defence Minister, Ehud Barak, pledged to continue the war against Hamas - entering its 10th day - until "peace and tranquility" returned to the south of his country. Residents in the territory's main city reported heavy ground and air bombardments that were sending plumes of smoke into the air as flares and fires lit up the night sky above the northern district of Zeitoun where some of the most intense engagements were believed to be taking place. There were unconfirmed reports last night that up to nine Israeli soldiers had been killed or seriously injured in Gaza. The Israeli government refused to confirm the reports, saying only that eight soldiers had been injured.
Heavy fighting was under way in the north of Gaza City last night as the Israeli Defence Minister, Ehud Barak, pledged to continue the war against Hamas - entering its 10th day - until "peace and tranquility" returned to the south of his country.
Residents in the territory's main city reported heavy ground and air bombardments that were sending plumes of smoke into the air as flares and fires lit up the night sky above the northern district of Zeitoun where some of the most intense engagements were believed to be taking place.
There were unconfirmed reports last night that up to nine Israeli soldiers had been killed or seriously injured in Gaza. The Israeli government refused to confirm the reports, saying only that eight soldiers had been injured.
The US President-elect Barack Obama today expressed deep concern about the loss of civilian lives in Gaza and Israel. Speaking after Israeli tank shells killed at least 40 Palestinians at a UN school where civilians had taken shelter, Obama told reporters "the loss of civilian life in Gaza and Israel is a source of deep concern for me." But Obama otherwise said he would adhere to his principle that only US President George Bush would speak for American foreign policy at this time, but said he would have plenty more to say after his 20 January inauguration.
The US President-elect Barack Obama today expressed deep concern about the loss of civilian lives in Gaza and Israel.
Speaking after Israeli tank shells killed at least 40 Palestinians at a UN school where civilians had taken shelter, Obama told reporters "the loss of civilian life in Gaza and Israel is a source of deep concern for me."
But Obama otherwise said he would adhere to his principle that only US President George Bush would speak for American foreign policy at this time, but said he would have plenty more to say after his 20 January inauguration.
War is being waged on my brothers and sisters and I sit here behind enemy lines, at a keyboard, in pain. Impotent. All I will do is say that it is wrong. I won't walk into the Israeli consulate and open fire on those who respresent and protect the killers. I won't even throw a rock through the window of their tony offices. I surely have more power than I pretend to not have. I could get press when they hauled me away to jail. The peace movement, surely the only thing more impotent than myself, would denounce me. I would probably lose a job I'm going to be laid off from anyhow. But I won't do anything. I am afraid. ... Because it is so little, because people are dying while I sit here, half dressed, typing I am embarrassed. If nothing else I can say, I must say, as a citizen of the US south, as a man of African descent, that Barack Obama is a fraud. Like those before him, he's a killer. He is soon to be President of the United States which a longer than necessary synonmy for fraud and murder, for genocide, for capitalism, for callousness. Barack Obama is not Black. He's an embarrassment to humanity. Not unlike or more so than those preceding him, but along with them. Obama is not Black. He's disgusting. Obama isn't Black. He's the President. The distinction apparently needs to be made.
I am afraid. ...
Because it is so little, because people are dying while I sit here, half dressed, typing I am embarrassed. If nothing else I can say, I must say, as a citizen of the US south, as a man of African descent, that Barack Obama is a fraud. Like those before him, he's a killer. He is soon to be President of the United States which a longer than necessary synonmy for fraud and murder, for genocide, for capitalism, for callousness. Barack Obama is not Black. He's an embarrassment to humanity. Not unlike or more so than those preceding him, but along with them. Obama is not Black. He's disgusting. Obama isn't Black. He's the President. The distinction apparently needs to be made.
Oh my | 4 Dec 2008
Being Black in the US means something. It implies an understanding of power and oppression. It implies an inclination and proclivity to side with those that resist oppression and exploitation, the Black nation having a history of acute experience with those forces. That said, does it matter if we have sitting, the first Black chairman in the 221 years of the House's existence, if he sits idly by and congratulates a president-elect that promises to embrace imperial foreign policy across Africa and the so-called Middle East?
That said, does it matter if we have sitting, the first Black chairman in the 221 years of the House's existence, if he sits idly by and congratulates a president-elect that promises to embrace imperial foreign policy across Africa and the so-called Middle East?
The ghost of Garvey keens ... Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.
US president-elect Barack Obama today broke his silence on the fighting in Gaza, saying he was "deeply concerned about the conflict" but postponing further comment on the Israeli invasion and Hamas attacks on Israel until after his inauguration.On a day when much of official Washington was consumed by dramatic action in the US Senate and by negotiations on Obama's massive fiscal stimulus proposal, Obama told reporters he was closely monitoring the situation in Gaza and was receiving intelligence briefings."The loss of civilian life in Gaza and Israel is a source of deep concern to me," he said in a question and answer session at his transition office, "and after January 20 I'm going to have plenty to say about the issue."Obama reiterated his belief that he should refrain from interjecting in foreign affairs before his election so the US government can present a single face to the world.
US president-elect Barack Obama today broke his silence on the fighting in Gaza, saying he was "deeply concerned about the conflict" but postponing further comment on the Israeli invasion and Hamas attacks on Israel until after his inauguration.
On a day when much of official Washington was consumed by dramatic action in the US Senate and by negotiations on Obama's massive fiscal stimulus proposal, Obama told reporters he was closely monitoring the situation in Gaza and was receiving intelligence briefings.
"The loss of civilian life in Gaza and Israel is a source of deep concern to me," he said in a question and answer session at his transition office, "and after January 20 I'm going to have plenty to say about the issue."
Obama reiterated his belief that he should refrain from interjecting in foreign affairs before his election so the US government can present a single face to the world.
