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Families flee in panic as Israeli forces shell Gaza tower blocks
Martin Bentham, Home Affairs Editor15.01.09
THOUSANDS of people in Gaza City were today reported to be fleeing their homes as Israeli troops advanced deeper into crowded residential areas in a new military effort.
Witnesses said some were pushing elderly parents in wheelchairs, while others were escaping in their pyjamas, seeking lifts in ambulances or journalists' armoured cars to speed up their exit from the fighting.
Palestinian witnesses said Israeli tanks shelled at least three high-rise blocks about a mile from ground forces.
The latest Israeli offensive, which was backed up by helicopter gunships, tanks and heavy gunfire, came as medical officials said the Palestinian death toll had risen to more than 1,000.
It also came as Hamas announced it had agreed "in principle" to the outlines of an Egyptian ceasefire plan after negotiations with diplomats in Cairo.
The militant group's statement will raise hopes that a peace deal can be reached, with Israeli negotiators due in Cairo later to discuss proposals.
Israel appears to be stepping up pressure on Hamas rulers as international mediators try to work out a ceasefire. UN chief Ban Ki-moon was expected in Israel later today to promote a truce.
On the ground, however, the fighting continued with Israel launching about 70 air strikes overnight and Palestinian militants firing 15 rockets into Israel.
The most dramatic scenes were in Gaza City itself where it was unclear whether the deepening Israeli push into the city was a brief foray or a sign of a new phase in Israel's offensive.
So far, Israel has held back from launching all-out urban warfare in the city, where Hamas militants are more familiar with the lie of the land. Medical officials said today's action had claimed at least seven lives, pushing the total number of fatalities up to about 1,130.
Thirteen Israelis have been killed, including three civilians, since the conflict began nearly three weeks ago on 27 December.
Israel has so far refused to accept international calls for a ceasefire until concrete plans are in place that will prevent arms smuggling from Egypt into Gaza, and that will stop Hamas firing rockets into Israel.
Meanwhile, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith warned that the conflict could fuel militant extremism in this country and pose a "serious test" to the Government's counter-terrorism strategy.
She said: "We are concerned about the situation in Gaza and the impact that it could have on radicalisation."
URGENT Israeli tanks shell Gaza City high-rises Eds: APNewsNow.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - Palestinian witnesses say Israeli tanks have fired shells at least three high-rise buildings in downtown Gaza City.
The attacks occurred as Israeli ground troops advanced into a crowded residential area on the outskirts of the city. Thousands of terrified residents have been fleeing their homes. The targeted buildings are about a mile (1.5 kilometers) from the ground forces.
The operation is the deepest thrust into the city of a 20-day Israeli offensive in Gaza.
Israel appears to be stepping up pressure on Gaza's Hamas rulers as international mediators try to work out a cease-fire. U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon was expected in Israel later Thursday to promote a truce.
Israel launched the offensive on Dec. 27 in an effort to stop militant rocket fire on southern Israel from Gaza.
Reader views (6)
Israel is justified in what it is doing. Hamas are a bunch of cowards. All they do is hide behind innocent women and children. Israel should not stop their offensive till Hamas is wiped out. It is the only way to peace.
- Sunny, Los Angeles
What else do they have to aspire to?
- Anna, Katoomba, Australia
With one-off attacks being made from other countries bordering Israel, it is pretty obvious that Hamas are trying to draw in the military support of these countries by provoking cross-border IDF responses. To say that they wouldn't set their own people up to be attacked in 'safe havens' by firing on the Israelis from next to, or even within boundaries is naive at best, and partisan propaganda at worst.
An ideologhy that thinks suicide attacks are a reasonable tactic are not going to baulk at setting their own non-combatants up to be killed for the sake of a propaganda coup.
- Rogan, Irving
Isreal is 'winning the war' and can push Gaza into the sea, but even unbiased opinion, says Isreal has lost the propaganda battle. If you take a stick to a chained dog, no matter how wild that animal was to start with, you will push it eventually into submission or into oblivion. It will be interesting to hear Mr Obamas views coming from a 'slave' and oppressed back ground.
- Bondy, london
So Hamas has "agreed 'in principle' to the outlines of an Egyptian ceasefire plan after negotiations with diplomats in Cairo".
Does this mean Hamas will finally accept Israel's right to exist, stop firing rockets, and stop telling Palestians that "martyrdom" is something to aspire to?
- Paulina Smid, London, UK
Well at least the IDF seem to have located the hard core Hamas "military",otherwise what would be the sense in being condemned further by World opinion?
- Harvey Lawrence, London UK
