Jan 5, 2009

Gaza / PNN - On the tenth day of the unprecedented Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip, the southern Gaza Strip’s Rafah is being targeted by ground forces. Israeli warplanes fired missiles into a Gaza home killing seven family members including the parents and five children.

The Abu Eisha family arrived at Gaza City's Al Shifa Hospital "torn apart," medical sources say, after Israeli warships hit their home in Beach Refugee Camp.

Israeli forces fired into a mourning tent in the north, killing four Palestinians at noon.

The Ministry of Health reports that roughly 535 Palestinians have been killed and 2,500 injured since Saturday 27 December.

Sources around the Strip confirm that the number of dead and wounded Palestinians is difficult to calculate as so many are under the rubble of destroyed homes and buildings. Ambulances are facing difficulties reaching people who are out in the open, while rescue crews have little opportunity. This morning medics transported two unidentified people from Jabaliya Refugee Camp to Kamal Adwan Hospital.

Israeli forces also killed a man during a ground invasion of Beit Lahia's Al Atatra neighborhood. In Gaza City's Zeitoun neighborhood Israeli forces killed six people from the Samoudi family, including three children. Another two year old was killed in a separate attack.

During the early dawn hours of Monday Israeli forces killed 18 more Palestinians.

One hundred and seven Palestinian children are reported killed this week. Palestinians in both the West Bank and Gaza Strip continue with demonstrations and appeals.

Israeli sources report that the total number of Israeli soldiers injured is 55 with two deaths. There are another two deaths reported among Israelis from the first days of the attacks on Gaza.