Israel and Hamas Continue Rocket Barrage
Thursday, July 10th, 2014July 10, 2014
Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip left at least 20 people dead today, bringing the overall death toll to 80 since Israel launched its operation earlier this week. The operation was in response to Palestinian rocket attacks. Hamas militants in Gaza have fired some 350 rockets into Israel, most of which have been intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system. Palestinian civilians in Gaza have no way to escape the barrage because of Egyptian and Israeli blockades.
A spokesperson for the Israeli military announced today that 20,000 reservists have been called up, and Israeli President Shimon Peres told a CNN correspondent that a ground offensive might happen “quite soon.”
In New York City, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon characterized the situation as “on a knife-edge” and warned of the dangers of escalation, saying the region cannot afford another full-blown war: “The deteriorating situation is leading to a downward spiral which could quickly get out of control.” Ban has called the UN Security Council into an emergency session.
Tensions between Israel and Hamas began late last month when three Israeli teenagers were found murdered. Israel blamed Hamas, and a Palestinian teenager was subsequently murdered in a suspected revenge attack.
Additional World Book article:
- Middle East 2007 (a Back in Time article)