Gaza Fighting
- January 5th, 2009
- Posted by EUEditor
Israeli troops supported by air and naval forces were reported to have penetrated to Gaza City, in their incursion into Gaza started on Saturday (1.1.09).
European Union Foreign Ministers have sent a mission to the Middle East to try to help with a ceasefire.
Between 30 and 40 Palestinians are reported to have been killed since the ground attack began, bringing the total according to medical sources in Gaza to 500.
An Israeli soldier has been killed and three people wounded in rocket attacks on Israeli towns – at least forty rockets being fired by the Hamas forces in the last three days.
Journalists have been kept out of the area but Israel’s military spokespersons say that as well as the ground attacks, continuing air strikes have targeted rocket-launching areas, armed gunmen, smuggling tunnels and several particular leaders of the Hamas movement that rules in Gaza.
A member of the EU peace group, External Relations Commissioner, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, said before departure from Prague it would face much difficulty, but, it was “absolutely necessary that violence has to stop.â€
The mission travelled to Egypt on Sunday to begin its round of visits in Middle East capitals.
The European Union is to increase its humanitarian aid to Gaza, allocating €3-million (A$5.87-million; dcerates.com, 5.1.09) above all previous commitments.
Reference:
Sonja Pace, “Casualties Mount as Fighting in Gaza Escalatesâ€, Voice of America, 4.1.09. www.voanews.com, (5.1.09).
Al Jazeera Television – Online, “Civilians die in Gaza fightingâ€, 5.1.09. www.aljazeera.net, (5.1.09).
European Commission, Brussels, “Commission launched €3-million funding decision …â€, 4.1.09, IP/09/02. www.europa.eu, (5.1.09).
European Council, Brussels, “Javier Solana, EU High Representative … visits the Middle East …â€, 4.1.09, S1/09. www.europea.eu, (5.1.09).
Pictures: Virtualactivism.net