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Israel says Gaza campaign will continue 'until mission is accomplished' Israel says Gaza campaign will continue 'until mission is accomplished'
(about 3 hours later)
The war in Gaza erupted afresh on Monday as Israel warned of a protracted military campaign to destroy cross-border tunnels and disarm Hamas and other militant groups.The war in Gaza erupted afresh on Monday as Israel warned of a protracted military campaign to destroy cross-border tunnels and disarm Hamas and other militant groups.
"We need to be prepared for a long operation until our mission is accomplished," Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, said in a televised press conference, flouting mounting international calls for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. "We need to be prepared for a long operation until our mission is accomplished," Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu said in a televised press conference, rejecting mounting international calls for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
Netanyahu spoke after a series of dramatic events following a lull in fighting on Sunday and early Monday. Nine children playing in a Gaza refugee camp were killed, the main public hospital was struck, four Israeli soldiers were killed in a mortar attack and militants from Gaza infiltrated Israel through a cross-border tunnel. Netanyahu – who described the conflict as a "just war" - spoke after a series of dramatic events following a lull in fighting on Sunday and early Monday. Eight children playing in a park in a Gaza refugee camp were killed, the main public hospital was struck, four Israeli soldiers were killed in a mortar attack and militants from Gaza infiltrated Israel through a tunnel.
Intense shelling resumed in Gaza on Monday night as the Israel Defence Forces warned residents of neighbourhoods in northern Gaza – including Shujai'iya, the scene of some of the most intense fighting in the three-week war – to evacuate immediately, suggesting a major escalation of military action was imminent.Intense shelling resumed in Gaza on Monday night as the Israel Defence Forces warned residents of neighbourhoods in northern Gaza – including Shujai'iya, the scene of some of the most intense fighting in the three-week war – to evacuate immediately, suggesting a major escalation of military action was imminent.
Benny Gantz, the Israeli military chief of staff, and defence minister Moshe Ya'alon, standing alongside the prime minister, reinforced his statement, saying the operation would continue as long as necessary. Benny Gantz, Israel's military chief of staff, and defence minister Moshe Ya'alon reinforced Netanyahu's statement, saying the operation would continue as long as necessary. "Gaza residents should distance themselves from areas in which Hamas is acting because we will get there and it will be painful," Gantz said.
"Gaza residents should distance themselves from areas in which Hamas is acting because we will get there and it will be painful," Ganz warned. The renewed bloodshed added urgency to international calls for a ceasefire. Earlier on Monday the UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, reiterated the security council's call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, demanding that both sides end the fighting "in the name of humanity".
The renewed bloodshed added urgency to international calls for a ceasefire. Earlier in the day, the UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, reiterated the security council's call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, demanding that both Israel and Hamas end the fighting "in the name of humanity". The statements from the three men directing the military offensive on Gaza will gratify hawkish cabinet ministers and media commentators who have been stridently urging an expansion of the operation to try to deal a decisive blow to Hamas.
The statements from the three men directing the military offensive on Gaza will gratify hawkish cabinet ministers and media commentators who have been stridently urging an expansion of the operation in order to deal a decisive blow to Hamas. However, Israel's decision to press ahead with the operation risks alienating its key ally, the US, after Barack Obama told Netanyahu of his concern over civilian casualties. But Israel's decision to press ahead with the operation risks alienating its key ally, the US, after Barack Obama told Netanyahu of his concern over civilian casualties.
Nine children plus at least one adult were killed, and dozens more injured at the beachfront Shati refugee camp mid-afternoon on Monday. Around the same time, the Shifa hospital in Gaza City was hit. The incidents followed the end of a 24-hour unilateral ceasefire declared by Hamas to mark the start of the Muslim holiday of Eid. Eight children and two adults were killed, and dozens more injured, at the seafront Shati refugee camp on Monday. At the same time the Shifa hospital in Gaza City was hit. The incidents followed the end of a 24-hour unilateral ceasefire declared by Hamas to mark the start of the Muslim holiday of Eid.
Israel categorically denied that its forces were responsible for the strike on the hospital or the camp, saying rockets launched by militants had misfired. But medical staff and other witnesses insisted missiles were fired at the hospital from an F16. Israel has previously accused Hamas militants of hiding in the hospital premises. Israel categorically denied its forces were responsible for the strike on the hospital or the camp, saying rockets launched by militants had misfired. But medical staff and other witnesses insisted missiles were fired at the hospital from an F-16 jet. Israel has previously accused Hamas militants of hiding in the hospital premises.
"We have not fired on the hospital or on Shati refugee camp," Major Arye Shalicar told the AFP news agency. "We know that Hamas was firing from both areas and the missiles struck these places." "We have not fired on the hospital or on Shati refugee camp," Major Arye Shalicar told AFP. "We know that Hamas was firing from both areas and the missiles struck these places."
In southern Israel, a Palestinian mortar strike from Gaza killed four soldiers, the IDF said. A fifth soldier was killed in southern Gaza, bringing total military casualties to 48. A number of others were wounded in the attack. It was not confirmed whether the victims were military personnel or civilians. In southern Israel a Palestinian mortar strike from Gaza killed four soldiers, the IDF said. A fifth soldier was killed in southern Gaza, bringing total military casualties to 48. A number of others were wounded in the attack. It was not confirmed whether the victims were military personnel or civilians.
At least one militant among a group which infiltrated Israel through a tunnel was killed as the men emerged near a community close to the border. Hamas said 10 Israeli soldiers had lost their lives but there was no confirmation from Israel.At least one militant among a group which infiltrated Israel through a tunnel was killed as the men emerged near a community close to the border. Hamas said 10 Israeli soldiers had lost their lives but there was no confirmation from Israel.
Warning sirens were reported in northern Israel, including the city of Haifa, suggesting that Hamas could be deploying long-range missiles in its arsenal. Warning sirens were reported in northern Israel, including the city of Haifa, suggesting Hamas could be deploying long-range missiles in its arsenal.
Earlier, following the end of the Hamas-declared 24-hour ceasefire at 2pm, there was renewed rocket fire from Gaza, with warning sirens sounded across southern Israel. Earlier, following the end of the ceasefire at 2pm, there was renewed rocket fire from Gaza. The IDF warned that it would respond to rocket fire with further air strikes. "The IDF is free to attack after any fire if there is any," Brig Gen Motti Almoz told Israel Radio.
The Israel Defence Forces warned that it would respond to rocket fire with further air strikes. "The IDF [Israeli Defence Forces] is free to attack after any fire if there is any," Israel's chief military spokesman, Brigadier General Motti Almoz, told Israel Radio. In New York Ban accused Netanyahu and Hamas leader-in-exile Khaled Mishal of being morally wrong for allowing civilians to be killed in the conflict. He urged both sides to demonstrate political will and compassionate leadership to end the bloodshed.
In New York, Ban accused Netanyahu and Hamas leader-in-exile Khaled Mishal of being "morally wrong" for allowing civilians to be killed in the conflict. He urged both sides to demonstrate "political will" and "compassionate leadership" to end the bloodshed. Gaza was in a "critical condition" after three weeks of military offensive, which raised serious questions about proportionality, he told reporters.
Gaza was in a "critical condition" following three weeks of military offensive, which raised "serious questions about proportionality," he told reporters.
The UN and Obama had also called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. The calls followed a series of unilateral ceasefire announcements by both sides, each of which was rejected by the other amid mutual blame and recrimination.The UN and Obama had also called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. The calls followed a series of unilateral ceasefire announcements by both sides, each of which was rejected by the other amid mutual blame and recrimination.
A presidential statement issued by the UN security council just after midnight in New York on Sunday, called on the parties to the conflict "to accept and fully implement the humanitarian ceasefire into the Eid period and beyond" and "to engage in efforts to achieve a durable and fully respected ceasefire, based on the Egyptian initiative".A presidential statement issued by the UN security council just after midnight in New York on Sunday, called on the parties to the conflict "to accept and fully implement the humanitarian ceasefire into the Eid period and beyond" and "to engage in efforts to achieve a durable and fully respected ceasefire, based on the Egyptian initiative".
It noted "grave concern regarding the deterioration in the situation as a result of the crisis related to Gaza and the loss of civilian lives and casualties" and called for Israel and Hamas to respect international law.It noted "grave concern regarding the deterioration in the situation as a result of the crisis related to Gaza and the loss of civilian lives and casualties" and called for Israel and Hamas to respect international law.
Obama told Netanyahu of his concern at the rising number of civilian deaths and urged an immediate, unconditional ceasefire. Obama told Netanyahu of his concern at the rising number of civilian deaths and urged an immediate, unconditional ceasefire. He stressed the importance of "ensuring Israel's security, protecting civilians, alleviating Gaza's humanitarian crisis and enacting a sustainable ceasefire that both allows Palestinians in Gaza to lead normal lives and addresses Gaza's long-term development and economic needs, while strengthening the Palestinian Authority".
Saying the US backed a ceasefire plan tabled two weeks ago by Egypt, Obama stressed the importance of "ensuring Israel's security, protecting civilians, alleviating Gaza's humanitarian crisis and enacting a sustainable ceasefire that both allows Palestinians in Gaza to lead normal lives and addresses Gaza's long-term development and economic needs, while strengthening the Palestinian Authority".
However, in his television address on Monday night, Netanyahu vowed: "We will not end this operation without neutralising the tunnels whose sole purpose is killing our citizens."However, in his television address on Monday night, Netanyahu vowed: "We will not end this operation without neutralising the tunnels whose sole purpose is killing our citizens."
According to the United Nations, more than 20 hospitals and medical centres have been hit by Israeli shelling since the start of the conflict three weeks ago today. The World Health Organisation said it was "appalled by the continuing trend for healthcare facilities, staff and vehicles to come under direct fire in Gaza since the escalation of violence". According to the UN, more than 20 hospitals and medical centres have been hit by Israeli shelling since the start of the conflict three weeks ago. The World Health Organisation said it was "appalled by the continuing trend for healthcare facilities, staff and vehicles to come under direct fire in Gaza since the escalation of violence".
The death toll in Gaza continued to rise as more bodies were pulled from the rubble. Around 1,050 people – mostly civilians – have been killed , and at least 6,000 injured. The Israeli death toll neared 50. Ya'alon warned that it could take "many more days until the quiet is restored". About 1,060 people – mostly civilians – have been killed in Gaza and at least 6,000 injured. The Israeli death toll exceeded 50 Ya'alon warned that it could take "many more days until the quiet is restored".
In Egypt, former president Mohamed Morsi who was overthrown in a military coup a year ago praised the "resistance" in Gaza.In Egypt, former president Mohamed Morsi who was overthrown in a military coup a year ago praised the "resistance" in Gaza.
"Our compass is set on supporting Palestine against the usurping occupier and we are with any resistance against any occupier," Morsi said in a message posted on his official Facebook page. "A full salute to those who resist and to the revolutionaries.""Our compass is set on supporting Palestine against the usurping occupier and we are with any resistance against any occupier," Morsi said in a message posted on his official Facebook page. "A full salute to those who resist and to the revolutionaries."
Hamas is an offshoot of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, which has been outlawed under the regime of Abdel Fatah al-Sisi.Hamas is an offshoot of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, which has been outlawed under the regime of Abdel Fatah al-Sisi.