Jan 12, 2009


Gaza - Ma’an - Seven were dead by dawn on day 17 of the Israeli war on Gaza, as Israeli strikes and ground troops push towards Gaza City.

Brigades were heard clashing with Israeli ground troops at the three entrances to Gaza City in an effort to stave off a full invasion of the area.

Airstrikes hit tens of homes on the northern, eastern and southern borders of Gaza City in order to improve access to the city and bypass the Brigades stationed at the entrances.

Warplanes continue to use Phosphorous bombs and homes around the city continue to burn covering the area with smoke.

Gaza City suburbs

More clashes were reported between resistance fighters and Israeli soldiers in the neighborhoods north and south of the Old City, Zaytoun and Tuffah. In what now appears to be the Israeli strategy in their war, warplanes flew over the area before ground troops entered, hitting tens of homes with missiles and phosphorous bombs. At least ten homes in the area are in fire.

The strikes killed five, including two women and a child. Medical sources identified one of the women as Amal Muhammad Al-Madhoun, and a man named Shaiboub Shambali from Beit Hanoun.

Northern Strip

Strikes also hit in the northern Strip, mostly in the Al-Jarin neighborhood of Jabaliya. One of the missiles hit the home of Fady Al-Amoudi from the Ayman Juda faction of Fatah’s Al-Aqsa Brigades. His home was badly damaged and was set ablaze by the strike. Al-Amoudi was killed in the early days of the invasion.

Missiles hit an Al-Masri home in Beit Lahiya as well as the Organization for the injured and Handicapped in the Sheikh Zaid area.

Southern Gaza

Israeli missiles hit the Philadelphi Route, near the Rafah refugee camp overnight.

The total number of dead from 17 days of Israeli strikes is 895 with 4,100 injured.

To receive a month of up-to-the-minute breaking news coverage on your Jawwal mobile via SMS, text "news" to 1202. Your account will be charged 14 NIS.