Region | Palestinian Territories
Israel tells Gazans to brace for escalation
Ignoring international calls for a ceasefire, Hamas and Israel vowed to continue fighting on Sunday, a day after Israeli planes dropped leaflets warning of an escalation in attacks.
- Agencies
- Published: 23:35 January 10, 2009
- Image Credit: AP
- Palestinians salvage belongings from the rubble of a destroyed building in the Rafah refugee camp.
Gaza: Ignoring international calls for a ceasefire, Hamas and Israel vowed to continue fighting on Sunday, a day after Israeli planes dropped leaflets warning of an escalation in attacks.
Hamas's leader, Khaled Meshaal, said the group would not consider a truce until Israel ended its military offensive and lifted a blockade of the Gaza Strip.
At least 17 Palestinian fighters and 12 civilians were killed as Israeli forces pressed on with its offensive in Gaza, bringing the latest death toll to 868.
Israeli troops and tanks pushed into eastern and southern parts of the city of Gaza, confronting Hamas fighters who fired anti-armour missiles and mortar bombs.
Palestinian witnesses reported heavy fighting east of the city of Gaza where Hamas fighters and Israeli forces exchanged mortar fire.
On Saturday, Israeli forces pounded Gaza and planes dropped leaflets warning of an escalation in attacks, as Palestinians fired at least 10 more rockets at Israel.
"The IDF [Israeli Defence Forces] will escalate the operation in the Gaza Strip," the leaflets said in Arabic.
"The IDF is not working against the people of Gaza but against Hamas. Stay safe by following our orders." The leaflets urged Gaza residents not to help Hamas, and to stay away from its members.
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Israeli defence officials say they are prepared for a third stage of the offensive, in which ground troops would push much further into Gaza, but are still waiting for approval from the government.
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the army also has a fourth stage planned that calls for a full reoccupation of Gaza and toppling of Hamas.
In Cairo, Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian National Authority president urged both Israel and Hamas to agree to an Egypt-brokered truce.
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