Israel shuts Gaza crossings
Palestinian children are suffering as a result of the struggle
Friday, 18, Jan 2008 07:08
Israel has shut down its crossings into the Gaza Strip, isolating the Palestinian community in the territory further.
It says it is seeking an end to Palestinian rocket attacks fired from Gaza into Israeli towns but the temporary move is causing alarm from aid workers.
UN officials say they are unable to transport humanitarian aid into Gaza, sparking concerns the already-desperate situation in the territory may deteriorate further in coming days.
Rocket attacks continued today and in response an Israeli airstrike targeted the four-storey Hamas interior ministry building.
Although vacant at the time over 30 people are believed to have been injured in the attack, while one woman was killed.
A separate Israel Defence Force airstrike saw another militant die. At least 32 people have been killed in Gaza in the last week.
The Reuters news agency reports Hamas is threatening to renew its suicide bombing campaigns in response.
It quoted spokesperson Hamad al-Rukeb as saying: ""If the bloodshed in Gaza and the West Bank does not stop, there will be similar bloodshed in ... Tel Aviv."
UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon has demanded an immediate halt to sniper and rocket attacks by the Palestinians.
"He is troubled by the heavy bloodshed, particularly the killing and injuring of civilians on both sides and the potential for further casualties unless the situation is de-escalated," a spokesperson said.