News / Middle East

Casualty Toll Rises in Israeli Strikes on Gaza

A wounded Palestinian lies in Al-Najar hospital after an Israeli air strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, April 8, 2011
A wounded Palestinian lies in Al-Najar hospital after an Israeli air strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, April 8, 2011
TEXT SIZE - +

Israeli strikes into Gaza killed at least five Palestinians on Friday, a day after an attack on an Israeli school bus near the seaside territory raised tensions between the two sides.

Israeli defense officials say they launched fresh aerial assaults into Hamas-ruled Gaza in response to new shelling from Gaza into southern Israel.

On Thursday, a rocket fired from Gaza hit a school bus in southern Israel, wounding the bus driver and a 16-year-old boy.  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that the school bus attack "crossed the line."  

Hamas militants declared a cease-fire late Thursday to stop the escalating strikes, but it did not slow down the Israeli bombing campaign targeting buildings and smuggling tunnels in Gaza.  At least 10 Palestinians have been killed in strikes over the past two days.

On Thursday, Mr. Netanyahu said at least two rockets were shot down by Israel's new "Iron Dome" missile defense system.

The interceptor missiles are designed to destroy rockets and mortars fired within a range of five to 70 kilometers.  The system was deployed in response to a rise in attacks from Gaza militants.

Some information for this report was provided by AP.

You May Like

Experts Weigh In on Challenges of Closing Guantanamo Prison

Former chief military prosecutor at Guantanamo delivers petition to White House with more than 370,000 signatures, demanding facility be closed down immediately More

Karzai to Discuss Enhancing Defense Ties with India

Afghanistan looking for more military aid as it prepares for withdrawal of NATO forces by next year More

India, China Pledge to Overcome Border Tensions

Indian prime minister and Chinese premier attempt to move past tense standoff in the Himalayas during Delhi talks More

Burmese President Opens US Visit with VOA Town Hall Meeting

Ahead of his meeting with President Obama Monday, Thein Sein answered questions on human rights and economic development in his country More

This forum has been closed.
Comments
     
There are no comments in this forum. Be first and add one

Featured Videos

Your JavaScript is turned off or you have an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.
Your JavaScript is turned off or you have an old version of Adobe's Flash Player. Get the latest Flash player.
Video

Video US Oil Surge Could Impact Mideast Geopolitics

The United States will account for a third of new oil supplies over the next five years, and will become energy self-sufficient in 20 years, according to a new report by the Paris-based International Energy Agency (IEA). Although U.S. oil imports from Arab Gulf countries increased last year, analysts predict the U.S. will lose its dependence on Middle East imports, which is expected to have a huge impact on international relations and the balance of power. VOA's Henry Ridgewell reports.