Palestinian death toll tops 300: Gaza official
Saturday, 19 July 2014
A Gaza health official says the death toll from Israel’s 12-day offensive against Hamas supporters has topped 300. Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Kidra said on Saturday that overnight air strikes killed nine more people. The Israeli military says three soldiers were wounded, one seriously, in the second night of Israel’s ground offensive in Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Israel launched a ground operation late Thursday after becoming increasingly exasperated with unrelenting rocket fire from Gaza, especially following Hamas’ rejection of an Egyptian cease-fire plan last week. Israeli officials say the offensive is aimed at destroying Hamas tunnels dug into Israel and that it could last up to two weeks. Israel’s military chief Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz visited troops on the Gaza border early Saturday and said ‘a strategic national patience is necessary’ to complete the operation, according to AP.