Israel launched a new wave of air strikes against Palestine in response to Hamas firing three rockets at Be’er Sheva hours before a ceasefire that was set to end at midnight Tuesday. The Israeli military called on Israelis living as far as 80 kilometers from the Gaza border to open bomb shelters as the truce crumbled.
In the new wave of Israeli airstrikes, six Palestinians were killed including a pregnant woman and three young children. Amongst the dead are the wife and daughter of the armed wing leader of Hamas, Mohammed Deif.
VIDEO: Israel attacks Palestine (full moments):
Israeli media reports that 30 air strikes had been carried out across Gaza in retaliation to the renewed Hamas rocket attack.
The U.S. blamed Hamas for the breakdown as the rocket attack was in direct violation to the ceasefire agreement. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the breach of the Egyptian-brokered ceasefire. A statement was released:
“The Secretary-General reminds both sides of their responsibility not to let the situation escalate. The hopes of the people in Gaza for a better future and the hopes of the people in Israel for sustainable security rest on the talks in Cairo.”
Earlier in Cairo, there were signs that a new round of violence could erupt as there was no progress regarding an end to the Egyptian and Israeli blockades of the Gaza Strip. Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum hinted of more rocket fire, saying, “If Netanyahu doesn’t understand … the language of politics in Cairo, we know how to make him understand.”
Azzam al-Ahmad, leader of the Palestinian delegation, blamed Israel for the deadlock at the talks. “It’s clear the Israelis are not interested in the ceasefire. We did not hear from them. We were willing to, but we did not hear from them,” he said.
The Palestinian health ministry says the Gaza death toll has reached 2,016 since the Israeli offensive began in July 8 – most of the dead are civilians with 541 children and 250 women. Sixty-four Israeli soldiers and three civilians have been killed.
Photographs from the Gaza Strip:
Rockets fired from Palestine and intercepted over Netivot, Israel.
Israel reacts to the Hamas strike. Smoke and dust in Palestine after the ceasefire crumbles.
Palestinian refugees are once again fleeing from their homes.
