'Lockstep' Support of Israel Doesn't Represent US

Air strikes hit 40 targets overnight

(NEWSER) - Israel continued to pound Gaza last night and this morning as air strikes hit 40 targets and killed 15 Hamas fighters, CNN reports. Attacks were halted for the 3-hour pause this afternoon to allow Gaza residents to restock supplies, the third such pause in the two-week-old conflict. Health workers say at least 800 people have been killed, including 235 children, 90 women, and 12 medics. More»

(NEWSER) - Anti-Israel protesters gathered in the Arab world and beyond today to protest Israel’s bombing campaign against Gaza, the AP reports. At the largest protest, in Lebanon, tens of thousands of Hezbollah supporters listened as the group’s leader warned Israel of the futility of a ground invasion. "Israel's air force will fail to destroy the will of the fighters firing rockets," Hassan Nasrallah said by video link from an undisclosed location. More»

Israel posts troops, accuses Hamas of endangering civilians

(NEWSER) - Thousands of Palestinians joined hands today in an attempt to form a human chain across the Gaza Strip, AFP reports. They were protesting the Israeli blockade that has left the impoverished region perilously low on supplies. Israel massed forces along the border, including a rare artillery battery, and accused Hamas of “orchestrating a premeditated effort to put civilians on the front line.” More»

Increases tension between factions

(NEWSER) - An Israeli air strike hit near the Gaza home of Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh today. The Israeli military said that Haniyeh was not the target, though an official said earlier this week that any Hamas leader—including Haniyeh—rmight be attacked if rocket strikes on Israel continue. More»

Iran condemns Israel's 'war crimes'

(NEWSER) - With 23 Palestinians now dead in the latest Gaza conflict , the Middle East Quartet is meeting for the first time in six months in New York. Hillary Clinton, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and EU diplomat Baroness Ashton will discuss the growing violence after Israeli air raids killed five more people, including three civilians and a pair of militants. Israel yesterday sought UN Security Council action over rocket attacks from Gaza. More»