Gaza/Jerusalem : Over 60 Palestinians were killed on Sunday in Israel’s fiercest attack on Gaza in recent years, as the death toll in the conflict spiralled past 410 after the Israeli air and ground assault was expanded to pound Hamas targets, reports PTI.
The bloodiest day in the 13 days of conflict prompted urgent efforts by the International Committee of the Red Cross to broker a temporary ceasefire to allow evacuation of the dead and wounded in a deal accepted by both Israel and Hamas.
However, the humanitarian ceasefire was short-lived as the Israeli army accused Hamas militants of violating it and said it had “responded accordingly”. “Once more, Hamas breaches ceasefire, this time brokered by the ICRC for a humanitarian hiatus. IDF responding accordingly,” army spokesman Peter Lerner said on his official Twitter account, 40 minutes into the truce.
Hundreds of Palestinians fled in panic into Gaza City on Sunday as Israeli troops focused their firepower on the nearby town of Shaja’ia. The shelling and bombing killed over 60 people and injured about 380 others, a Gaza hospital spokesman said.
The Palestinian death crossed 410, with medics warning it could rise further due to the ongoing bombardment of areas north and east of Gaza City.
Arab League condemns
Israeli war crimes: The Arab League lashed out at Israel for pounding Gaza’s Shejaiya district, accusing the Jewish state of “war crimes” and calling for an “immediate stop” to its offensive.
“What Shejaiya is undergoing today in terms of brutal bombing operations are war crimes against Palestinian civilians and a dangerous escalation that could have further consequences,” Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi said in a statement. Amid raging violence, Qatar was to host a meeting between Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and UN chief Ban Ki-moon in attempts to reach a ceasefire agreement.
Harinder Mishra
