GAZA

From the news paper that I have read, obviously Israel sent tanks deeper into Gaza on Saturday and threatened to intensify its air and ground assault, ignoring international calls to stop the conflict with Hamas militants who fired more rockets into the Jewish state.Thirteen Israelis have been killed since the offensive began on Dec 27, three civilians hit by rocket fire and 10 soldiers.In Egypt, efforts by President Hosni Mubarak to broker a ceasefire showed little sign of progress and Israeli aircraft dropped leaflets on southern Gaza telling residents it was about to step up its offensive.The fighting continued even during a three-hour ceasefire window Israel has observed in recent days to allow humanitarian aid to help sustain the territory's 1.5 million residents.Israeli actions have drawn denunciations from the Red Cross, UN agencies and Arab and European governments, spurred by a Palestinian civilian death toll in the hundreds.The group said Israel appeared to be using the munitions to make smoke screens to hide military operations -- "a permissible use in principle under international humanitarian law". But it said the practice should be stopped in densely-populated areas.The Israeli military said it only employs weapons permitted under international law. Human rights organisations have long urged a world ban on white-phosphorus shells, saying they cause undue suffering through severe burns. As a conclusion Israil should not threat Gazas people because of their own interest.
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