Israeli troops backed by tanks and aircraft went after Gaza militants who bombarded southern Israel with rockets and mortars Saturday, killing 46 Palestinians in the deadliest day in Gaza since Islamic Hamas militants seized control in June. As many as two dozen civilians died in the fighting, including at least two babies and two other children. Two Israel soldiers were also killed. Gaza Health Ministry official Dr. Moaiya Hassanain said 160 people were wounded and 14 were in critical condition.
The intense battles pushed the Palestinian death toll to 76 since fighting flared Wednesday. About 40 of them were civilians. Palestinians leaders called the killings "genocide" and threatened to call off peace talks with Israel.
"We tell the world, watch and judge what's happening, and judge who is committing ... terrorism," said
| We'll start with those rockets coming into Sderot, Abby baby. |
| What you're doing to the Israelis isn't helping any either, but few people seem to point that out. |
Israeli officials met Saturday to discuss the Gaza violence and its implications for peacemaking. Foreign Ministry spokesman Arye Mekel said talks didn't preclude fighting. Talks are "based on the understanding that when advancing the peace process with pragmatic (Palestinian) sources, Israel will continue to fight terror that hurts its people," he said.
| This is a carrot, and this is a really big stick ... |