Israeli Raids in Gaza Kill 54

Armor- and air-supported troops sweep into territory to retaliate for rocket attacks
By Jim O'Neill,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 1, 2008 3:30 PM CST
Israeli Raids in Gaza Kill 54
Palestinian Hamas militants take position next to a burning barricade during an Israeli army operation east of Jebaliya, in the northern Gaza Strip, Saturday, March 1, 2008. Twenty-one Palestinians, including at least eight civilians, were killed late Friday and early Saturday in escalating Israeli-Palestinian...   (Associated Press)

At least 54 Palestinians were killed after Israeli troops supported by armor and aircraft launched new raids into the Gaza Strip today, the AP reports. The attacks are in retaliation for rocket attacks into Israel from the disputed territory that have prompted calls from some Israelis to launch a major sweep of Gaza. It's the worst violence since Hamas took control of Gaza in June.

Palestinian officials say at least two dozen civilians were killed, including four children ages 4 to 16. Six Israeli soldiers were injured. More than 70 Palestinians and an Israeli soldier have been killed since Wednesday. Palestinian fighters continued to bombard Israeli targets with rocket and mortar attacks today. (More Gaza stories.)

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