The Israeli Air Force fired, Friday, several missiles into Jabalia town, in northern Gaza, killing two Palestinians, including one child, and wounded seven other residents, mainly children, after an Israeli missile hit a home in the town.At least 22 Palestinians have been killed, and more than 245 have been injured by Israeli shells since Wednesday; the casualties include children and infants.
Medical sources in Gaza reported that four Palestinians were wounded when the army fired shells near a home close to the western junction in Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza; they were all moved to the Kamal Odwan Hospital.
The army also bombarded agricultural areas in the Bedouin Village, in northern Gaza; damage was reported, no injuries.
Soldiers bombarded an area close to the Al-Karama residential towers, in northern Gaza.
Israeli drones also fired missiles in Al-Qarm area, east of Jabalia, hitting a carpentry workshop completely damaging it. Several missiles were further fired into open areas in Beit Hanoun, in northern Gaza.
The attacks were carried out despite the fact that Israel claimed it would stop the bombardment while Egypt’s Prime Minister, Hisham Qandeel, is visiting Gaza. Qandeel arrived in Gaza on Friday along with several Egyptian officials.
Qandeel visited several wounded residents, especially the children, at the Ash-Shifa Hospital in Gaza.
He also held a meeting with the head of the Hamas-led government in Gaza, Ismael Haniyya, at his office in Gaza.
In an interview with Israel’s Yedioth Aharonoth paper, Israeli Transportation Minister, Yisrael Katz, stated that Haniyya, and Hamas political leader Dr. Mahmoud Zahhar, “are legitimate targets for assassination”.
Katz added that the Israeli aggression, that started two days ago, will likely expand very soon, to include 16.000 reserve soldiers of the infantry brigade, and added that the military operations will not stop until “all threats are eliminated”.
Commenting on the visit of Qandeel to Gaza, Katz stated that this visit could be an opportunity for Egypt “to perform its duties in resolving the situation”, and added that former President, Hosni Mubarak, “did not consider Gaza an internal Egyptian situation, therefore, it is possible that the new Egyptian President, and the Muslim Brotherhood, will likely do the same”.
Katz also expressed satisfaction regarding the stance of the U.S. President, Barack Obama, supporting Israel in this war.
As the Israeli offensive continue to expand leading to more civilian casualties, including children and infants, Palestinian resistance factions in Gaza claimed responsibility for firing dozens of shells into Nativot, Asqalan, Ra’eem, Ashdod, Miftahim, Ofakim, Nir Yitzak, Megan, Nirim, the Western Negev, Bir Shiva, in addition to targeting military bases, including aerial bases, such as Milassim, Nahal Oz, Miftahim, Ofakim and the Orim Military Intelligence base, and many other areas.
Armed groups in Gaza stated that talking about a truce or a ceasefire cannot take place while Israel continues to target the civilians in Gaza, killing, maiming and injuring dozens of civilians, including infants, children, women and elderly.
On Thursday evening, three Palestinian children were killed when the army bombarded a home in As-Sikka Street, in Beit Hanoun.
Ashraf Al-Qorda, spokesperson of the Ministry of Health in Gaza, reported that the slain civilians were identified as Fares Al-Basyouni, 9, Odai Jamal Nasser, 16, and Tareq Jamal Nasser, 14; the mother of Odai and Jamal suffered serious injuries.
On Thursday evening, Hanin Tafesh, 10 months, died of wounds suffered when the Israeli army bombarded her home.
Medical sources in Gaza reported that at least 22 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire and shells wince Wednesday, and more than 245 Palestinians have been injured; dozens seriously.
Eight children are among the slain Palestinians, in addition to one pregnant woman and two elderly men.
