MIDDLE EAST: Israel shells Gaza security posts/ Funeral held in Khan Younis for six militants killed in Israeli airstrike/ Hamas-led Palestinian cabinet convenes for emergency meeting

Record ID: 354534

  • Title: MIDDLE EAST: Israel shells Gaza security posts/ Funeral held in Khan Younis for six militants killed in Israeli airstrike/ Hamas-led Palestinian cabinet convenes for emergency meeting
  • Date: 9th April 2006
  • Summary: (W2) JERUSALEM (APRIL 9, 2006) (REUTERS) PAN: INTERIM ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER EHUD OLMERT ENTERING CABINET MEETING
  • Embargoed: 24th April 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: International Relations,Defence / Military
  • Reuters ID: LVA7K8JA5UNQ6F47VC4NOY1ME90T
  • Story Text: Violence surged in the Middle East on Sunday (April 9) as Israel kept up its heaviest strikes on the Gaza Strip since Jewish settlers and troops withdrew last year.
    In the latest clash the Israeli army shelled two Palestinian security posts in northern Gaza, killing one person and wounding 15. Since Friday (April 7) Israeli air strikes and artillery barrages have killed 15 Palestinians, mainly militants.
    Earlier on Sunday, the army said it fired artillery shells at targets in northern Gaza following rocket fire into Israel.
    In the Gaza town of Khan Younis hundreds of mourners, including armed militants, marched in a funeral procession for six militants killed in an Israeli airstrike the night before.
    The Israeli army said it targeted a training camp used by the Abu Reish Brigades militant group, which is part of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah faction.
    Chanting anti-Israel slogans and firing in the air, the mourners carried the bodies through the town street.
    Interim Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who won elections last month on pledges to impose final borders with or without Palestinian agreement, said there were no curbs on the army to respond to a surge of militant rocket fire on Israel.
    Israel has ratcheted up military attacks on Gaza since the new Palestinian government led by the militant Islamist group Hamas took power.
    The air strikes and artillery barrages into Gaza in recent days have followed almost daily rocket fire from the coastal strip. The makeshift rockets rarely cause any casualties.
    Israel has said it was not targeting civilians and has warned Palestinian security forces and residents to keep away from areas near the rocket launch pads.
    Israeli cabinet Minister Meir Shitreet told reporters that Israel would continue to launch air raids and attacks on Gaza to stop militants from firing rockets at Israeli targets.
    "We have the right, not only the right, but also obligation to protect the security of our people. It is inconceivable to believe that any government would stay still while they are shooting tens of missiles over cities in Israel, trying to kill as much as they can, if they could, therefore Israel had the right to protect the security of our people and to retaliate. That's what we're doing. And we're going to do it harder and harder, as far as they continue shooting missiles over citizens of Israel," Shitreet said at the start of a cabinet meeting.
    Israeli security forces were on high alert on Sunday following the militants vows to retaliate against the deadly airstrikes on Gaza and ahead of the Jewish Passover.
    Hundreds of troops and policemen have been deployed across the streets of Jerusalem monitoring areas like markets, and crowded city streets.
    In the light of the latest escalation, Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh convened a special security meeting in Gaza.
    Hamas, facing growing criticism from Gazans for not responding to the Israeli strikes, has stepped up its rhetoric against Israel. Hamas is sworn to destroy Israel but has largely abided by a year-old ceasefire that other groups have ignored.
    Amid a widening boycott to isolate a Hamas-led government, the Palestinian Authority has faced the threat of an economic collapse after the United States, Europe and Israel cut off funds.
    The Palestinian Authority's debts now total $1.3 billion, including $640 million to regional and local banks, Palestinian official said.
    Israel, the United States and the European Commission have suspended direct funding to the new Hamas-led government until it recognises Israel and halts violence.
    Hamas has described these decisions as "blackmail" and punishment for Palestinians electing Hamas.
    Meanwhile a handful of Palestinians, including Minister of Information Youssef Rizak, set up a protest in Gaza, calling on the European Union to retreat from its decision.
    "We are calling on (the European union) to separate political approach from the financial approach, which supplies humane and life support for the Palestinian people. This is our right (to fight) until the occupation ends in our country and over our lands," Minister Rizqa told reporters.
    Israel has vowed not to negotiate with Hamas unless it recognises the Jewish state's right to exist, renounces violence and accepts interim peace deals.
    Hamas says talks with Israel would be futile.
    On Sunday, senior Israeli ministers will work out detailed guidelines on how to deal with the Palestinians in the wake of Hamas assuming power.
    The guidelines are expected to allow Israel to talk to the Palestinians through the office of Abbas, who favours peace talks, or with low-level Palestinian bureaucrats.
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