Gaza’s sole power plant was destroyed by the most intense Israeli bombardment of this war. The people of Gaza were already dealing with power cuts more than 20 hours a day.“This was a humanitarian plant that served the people,” the director of the power plant, Mohammed al-Sharif said, “its existence helped people, life, hospitals and the normal, simple life of the people of Gaza.”
Israel intensified its invasion overnight. Tanks destroyed several houses in eastern Jebalya. Including the casualties of this morning, the death toll has climbed to over 1,200. An additional 182,000 people, about 10% of Gaza’s population, have sought shelter, according to the United Nations.
Both sides have dismissed talks of a ceasefire in recent days. Among those pushing for an end to the fighting is United States Secretary of State John Kerry. Kerry told reporters that he was talking to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “two, three, four times a day.”
British Prime Minister David Cameron has joined Kerry, U.S. President Barack Obama and others in a call for a ceasefire.
“What we’re seeing is absolutely heartbreaking in terms of the loss of life,” Cameron said. In his statement, he continued to blame Hamas for sparking the current war.
“Hamas must stop attacking Israel with rocket attacks. That is how this started. It’s completely unjustified and they need to stop as part of the ceasefire.”
Not everyone is calling for an end to the fighting. Among those encouraging Hamas to continue their fight is Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“We call on the world, and especially the Islamic world, to support and arm the Palestinian nation,” Ayatollah Khamenei said at a prayer ceremony in Tehran last night. Iran has not recognized Israel as a legitimate state since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
As the conflict has entered its third week, neither side appears closer to a ceasefire agreement.
