International   

Israel warns of “holocaust” in Gaza after attacks

DUBAI: Tensions between Israel and the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, have escalated sharply after Israel’s Deputy Defence Minister warned of a “holocaust” in Gaza following a rocket attack on the industrial city of Ashkelon.

While rockets fired from Gaza have landed harmlessly in Ashkelon in the past, it was for the first time that a rocket hit an apartment block, smashing through the roof and landing three floors below. No one was injured in the attack. However, a 17-year old girl was wounded when a rocket landed near a school.

Israeli security officials claim that the rockets which targeted Ashkelon are the Grad-type, with a range of 22 km. They alleged that these rockets are Iranian imports. In the past, Palestinian groups targeted Israel with the less destructive Qassam rockets. Israel’s Deputy Defence Minister Matan Vilnai said the escalation of rocket attacks would result in a “bigger holocaust” in Gaza. “The more [rocket] fire intensifies and the rockets reach a longer range, they [the Palestinians] will bring upon themselves a bigger holocaust because we will use all our might to defend ourselves,” Mr.Vilnai told Israeli army radio.

The new round of Palestinian attacks follows the Israeli blockade of Gaza — a city of 1.5 million residents. Israel has also intensified military strikes on the coastal strip killing 32 Palestinians since Wednesday. An Israeli air strike killed four Palestinian boys, who were playing in Northern Gaza on Thursday.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

PPP cobbling together allies
Israel warns of “holocaust” in Gaza after attacks
Putin calls for high turnout
U.K. points system comes into force
Prince out of Afghan mission
Ready for passenger surge
Bloomberg quits race
Colombo urges U.K. to ban LTTE “front” organisations
Hindraf decides to oppose Malaysian Indian Congress
A Korean gesture to Kalam

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu