Israel Pummels Gaza Before Ceasefire Vote

2 children killed in UN school shelter: Palestinians

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 17, 2009 8:31 AM CST

(Newser) – Israel launched 50 air strikes on Gaza last night ahead of a Cabinet vote on a unilateral ceasefire, the BBC reports. A tank shell hit a UN school, killing at least two children among hundreds of people who had taken refuge there, Palestinians say; Israel says it’s looking into the matter. A UN relief agency says Israel’s Gaza operations should face a war crimes probe.

Hamas says it will keep fighting if an Israeli truce doesn’t fit its terms. “As long as (the Israeli military) remains in Gaza, resistance and confrontation will continue,” a spokesman told AFP. The militant group wants Israeli troops pulled from Gaza and blockades opened; representatives will attend continuing talks today with Egypt as mediator. Egypt’s current plan would halt fighting for 10 days while Israeli troops remained in Gaza and blockades stayed closed.

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

Palestinians inspect the damage to a classroom at a UN school where displaced people sought refuge. A bloodstain can be seen on the floor after it was hit in Israeli shelling, Jan. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Israeli soldiers stand on top their armored personal carriers at an outpost on the Israeli side of Israel-Gaza border, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

Smoke rises from an Israeli missile strike in the Rafah refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Khaled Omar)

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A UN school was hit by shells in Gaza. (reuters.com)

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Israel Pummels Gaza Before Ceasefire Vote