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Guernica in Gaza

category international | rights, freedoms and repression | feature author Sunday December 28, 2008 22:18author by Justin Morahan

Hundreds of Gazans Reported Dead & Injured in Sabbath Day Surprise Attack

International Solidarity Movement
video (ISM): Uploaded Dec 27 2008

Justin Morahan writes... On the Jewish Sabbath, this morning, The Israeli Defence forces launched a massive missile attack on Gaza killing at least 140 people.

The attack came as a surprise even to Israelis. The Israeli newspaper Haaretz put the number of dead at 155 or more. There was little or no warning when the "strike" began at 11.30 a.m. Israeli time.

Television footage showed dead bodies scattered on a road and wounded and dead being carried away by distraught rescuers.

The Israel Defense Forces said that the airstrikes "will continue, will be expanded, and will deepen if necessary."

Egypt has now opened its long-sealed border with Gaza to allow in the wounded for medical treatment.

According to reports, the Hamas Government buildings were targeted as were the police headquarters with heavy casualties in both locations. Police Chief Tawfiq Jabber is among the dead. A spokesman said that the police compound in Gaza City had been hosting a graduation ceremony for new personnel when it was attacked.

At least two people were killed and 30 wounded from an attack in Khan Younis, a refugee camp in the south of Gaza.

According to reports residents reported hearing at least 15 explosions. Many of Hamas's security compounds are in residential areas, and the air strikes took place as children were leaving school. "Plumes of black smoke rose over Gaza City, sirens wailed through the streets and women frantically looked for their children"

The attacks have been condemned by Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah who is recognised as President of Palestine by the USA and other Israeli allies.


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