Israel Launches Attacks on Gaza
May 27, 2007
For the past 10 days, the Israeli army and airforce have launched numerous attacks against Palestinians living in Gaza. At least 38 Palestinians have been killed, and scores more wounded in these strikes.
On May 16, Israeli aircraft launched missiles at Palestinian homes in the southern Gaza Strip killing at least 5 people. Later in the day, an Israeli aircraft attacked a car in the northern Gaza Strip, killing one person and wounding two others, Palestinian medical officials said.
The attack came shortly after Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared Israel "would not restrain itself" against Palestinian "terrorists." Since then he and other Israeli officials have publicly stated the Israeli military would continue to carry out targeted assassinations of Palestinian leaders.
On May 18, Israel infantry troops and tanks advanced into the Gaza Strip at two points, following four air attacks on Gaza that left at least six Palestinians dead. During the day Israeli warplanes pummeled towns in southern Gaza, in which over one dozen people were killed and wounded. One airstrike incinerated a minivan, killing three people inside, Palestinian hospital officials said. "We were sitting outside my grocery store when a huge explosion shook the area and a small minivan turned into a ball of fire," Jawad Dallou said to reporters. People in a nearby mourning tent also were wounded, he said.
On May 19, an Israeli aircraft fired missiles toward the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun. Hospital officials said two Palestinians were killed and four wounded in the strike. Earlier that day, missile strikes demolished two Palestinian buildings.
On May 20, an Israeli F-16 bomber launched two missiles at the home of Khalil Al-Hayya, a Palestinian lawyer. The missiles destroyed his home, killed at least six members of his family, including his wife and a number of his children. Israeli officials said the attacks were designed to cause "shock and awe".
In the face of this slaughter, U.S. officials have encouraged and defended Israeli military actions, saying they are justified and that Israel is showing "great restraint." On May 17, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said "Israel has the right to defend itself and it has exercised great restraint."
