Ground Victims toll at 70, Violent Struggle for Gaza Continues
(Jeruselum-Inoue Michibu) 1/5/2009 11:01 A.M.
http://www.asahi.com/international/update/0105/TKY200901050304.html?ref=reca
As of the 5th, the Israeli Army is continuing attacks on radical Islamic party Hamas in the Palestinian area of Gaza. With Hamas in resistance, the violent battle carries on. Due to ever increasing civilian causalities, French President Nicolas Sarkozy visited with Israel in the West Bank as part of a delegation in search for a comprehensive ceasefire.
As per the AP News Agency, according to the Israeli Army; As of the 5th, 16 civilians were reported dead due to the attacks in Gaza, at least 10 were children. According to Gazan Health Officials, as of the 3rd, over 80 residents were killed due to violence outbreaks, around 70 of them ordinary civilians. AFP News Agency writes that as of the beginning of aerial bomb attacks of December 27th, the Gazan civilian death toll was at least 520 with 90 of those children, in addition to 5,200 wounded.
According to the Israeli Army, after ground attacks commenced, 1 Israeli soldier was killed with 30 wounded as of the 3rd. AFP reports that number to be 55 wounded. According to Reuters News Agency, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak stated on the 5th; "We have dealt a devastating blow to Hamas but are yet to achieve our objective. Operations will continue." This suggests that ground level operations will continue in the long term.
Information on the ground reveals that by the 5th, Israeli tanks will have encircled the north of Gaza. Witnesses say that Israeli soldiers have continued shooting from building rooftops.
Sarkozy met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on the afternoon of the 5th. According to the French President, he has visited with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and temporary Israeli Premier Ehud Olmert. On the 6th, he visited Syria and Lebanon. However with Hamas personnel absent from the meetings, some call the efficiency of such summits into question.
After conferring with the EU delegation, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livini gave a press conference regarding the Gaza conflict. "We are at war with terror" she said, expressing a rejection of the EU suggested comprehensive ceasefire.
Asahi Shinbun
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment