Olmert vows to press offensive in north Gaza
JERUSALEM – Prime Minister Ehud Olmert pledged Sunday to press ahead with Israel’s offensive in northern Gaza, brushing off international calls to halt the fighting and Palestinian complaints of dwindling supplies of water, food and other staples.
The death toll in Israel’s five-day sweep through the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun rose to 47 on Sunday, when three Palestinians, including two members of Hamas, were killed, according to Palestinian health officials. Israel launched the drive last week to try to stop daily rocket barrages aimed at Israeli towns.
The Vatican and European Union have expressed grave concerns about the offensive, but Olmert told his Cabinet on Sunday it was necessary to “considerably reduce the (rocket) fire and prevent terror.” He said Israel has no intention of reoccupying Gaza after last year’s pullout.
“When we reach the conclusion that the effectiveness of the operation is bringing us closer to reaching the goals, we will definitely pull our forces out of Gaza,” he said.
Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh called the Israeli offensive a “massacre,” and Beit Hanoun residents warned of a burgeoning humanitarian crisis.
“We have electricity, but no drinking water,” said one 28-year-old woman, who declined to be identified because of the military presence in town.
She said there were shortages of staples like milk and diapers and residents were being forced to share food. She also said tanks were visible from her home, and her husband was taken away by Israeli troops for questioning. “I don’t know what’s happened to him,” she said.
Despite the offensive, Palestinians fired six rockets at Israel on Sunday, the military said. Nobody was hurt.
Israel said its attacks are focused on militants who launch the rockets. While most of the dead have been militants, several civilians – including a 4-year-old girl, a 72-year-old man and two paramedics – have been killed. Two women who attempted to help a group of militants besieged in a mosque also died.