Israel attacks Hamas Headquarter in Gaza

Israeli air strikes on Saturday targeted the headquarters of Gaza’s Hamas leaders, as the bombardment of the coastal enclave moved into a fourth day. According to the reports, the building was extensively damaged in the attack, which Egypt’s PM Hisham Qandil had visited on Friday.

At least 29 Palestinians and three Israelis have died since Israel killed Hamas’s military chief on Wednesday. Israel earlier put 75,000 reservists on stand-by amid speculation of a ground invasion.

After a lull overnight, Gaza City was hit by a series of large explosions just before dawn on Saturday.  From the other side, Hamas also continued to fire rockets into Israel, aiming at Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on Friday.

Israel said it fired at more than 130 targets in Gaza overnight, saying militants fired 11 rockets from Gaza.

Israel’s Cabinet on Friday approved the activation of up to 75,000 reservists, prime minister’s spokesman Mark Regev said. Also, the Israel Defense Forces reported earlier in the day that it was mobilizing forces in preparation for a possible ground invasion of the Gaza Strip.

U.S. President Barack Obama spoke with Netanyahu and Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi on Friday, the White House said. He commended Egypt’s efforts to help calm the Gaza violence in a call to Mursi on Friday, the White House said, and underscored his hope of restoring stability.

In a call with Netanyahu, Obama discussed options for de-escalating the situation, the White House said. He reiterated US support for Israel’s right to defend itself, and expressed regret over the loss of Israeli and Palestinian civilian lives, a statement on the call said.

Pakistan also condemned Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip, calling on the international community to stop the Israeli aggression. A foreign ministry’s statement said, “Pakistan strongly condemns Israeli air attacks in Gaza that have targeted not only the Hamas leadership but also innocent civilians.”

Pakistan branded the Israeli assaults, in which 23 Palestinians have been killed, as a grave violation of international law and called upon the international community to come together to stop the Israeli aggression.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=35075

Posted by Web Desk on Nov 17 2012. Filed under World. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.