Olmert: Gaza offensive cannot end yet
Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert announces Gaza offensive to continue
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Friday, 09, Jan 2009 10:37
Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert has announced his country's military offensive on the Gaza Strip will continue despite United Nations calls for a ceasefire.
Speaking after a cabinet meeting on Friday Mr Olmert explained how rocket fire from the Palestinian territory into Israel this morning showed how the UN plan was "unworkable".
Israel launched its assault on the Gaza Strip last month and has refused to end military operations until rockets from the Palestinian militant group Hamas has ended.
"The firing of rockets this morning only goes to show that the UN decision is unworkable and will not be adhered to by the murderous Palestinian organisations," Mr Olmert said in a released statement.
Last night the UN security council in New York voted in favour of an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, calling for a truce and Israeli withdrawal.
However, overnight air-strikes continued, with up to 50 separate strikes reported at positions across Gaza.
The UN also quoted eye witnesses today as suggesting Israeli forces shelled a safe house where over 100 Palestinian civilians has been moved 24 hours previously.
The UN office for coordination of humanitarian affairs (OCHA) described the attack as one of the worst incidents since Israel's military offensive began, with reports suggesting around 30 people were killed during the shelling of Zeitoun, a south-east suburb of Gaza City, on January 5th.
"According to several testimonies, on January 4th Israeli foot soldiers evacuated approximately 110 Palestinians into a single-residence house in Zeitoun (half of whom were children) warning them to stay indoors," the OCHA report said.
"Twenty-four hours later, Israeli forces shelled the home repeatedly, killing approximately 30."
The Israeli military has confirmed it is looking into the reports.
Around 770 Palestinians are said to have died and 14 Israelis killed in the two- week conflict.
US president-elect Barack Obama is reported to be planning on opening talks with Hamas, breaking with outgoing president George Bush's doctrine of abandoning discussions with the militant group.
The Guardian newspaper suggests the new administration could begin the talks with help from the US intelligence services.