Israel rejects the idea of halting its offensive, says Hamas is ‘encountering its full force’
Palestinians look for survivors of the Israeli bombardment in the Maghazi refugee camp. Pics/AP
Israeli warplanes struck a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip early Sunday, killing at least 40 people and wounding dozens, health officials said. The strike came as Israel said it would press on with its offensive to crush the territory’s Hamas rulers, despite U.S. appeals for a pause to get aid to desperate civilians. The soaring death toll in Gaza has sparked growing international anger, with tens of thousands from Washington to Berlin taking to the streets Saturday to demand an immediate cease-fire.
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Thousands show their solidarity with Palestinians in Jakarta, Indonesia
Israel has rejected the idea of halting its offensive, even for brief humanitarian pauses proposed by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his current tour of the region. Instead, it said that Hamas was “encountering the full force” of its troops. “Anyone in Gaza City is risking their life,” Israel’s Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant said. Airstrikes hit the Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza overnight, killing at least 40 people and wounding 34 others, the Health Ministry said. It said first responders and residents were still digging through the rubble, hoping to find survivors.
Large columns of smoke rose as Israel’s military said it had encircled Gaza City, the initial target of its offensive. Gaza’s Health Ministry has said more than 9,400 Palestinians have been killed in the territory in nearly a month of war, and that number is likely to rise as the assault continues. Another strike leveled a building near Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City, the Palestinian Red Crescent said.
Blinken meets Palestinian leader
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in his latest bid to ease civilian suffering in the Gaza Strip. He traveled to Ramallah in an armored motorcade and under tight security just hours after Israeli warplanes struck a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip.
Protesters call on Netanyahu to quit
Thousands of Israelis are protesting outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official residence in central Jerusalem, calling on the Israeli leader to resign in the wake of the Hamas rampage. Netanyahu has so far refused to take responsibility for the attack. During Saturday night’s protest, demonstrators also called for the return of hostages and held a moment of silence for the victims.
9,400
Approx no of Palestinians killed since Oct 7
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