Gaza crisis: Death toll mounts from Israel strikes

08:02, 19 November 2012

LONDON. November 19. KAZINFORM An Israeli strike on a home in Gaza has killed at least 10 people, officials say, as Sunday became the deadliest day since Israel launched an operation against Hamas militants last week.

Israel said it had targeted a Hamas man but at least nine members of one family died, including several children.

Heavy bombardment of the strip was continuing early on Monday morning.

Gaza militants continue to fire rockets at Israel, with injuries reported in towns including Ashkelon and Ofakim, Kazinform has learnt from BBC News.

Sources on both sides say attempts to reach a ceasefire are continuing, but PM Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel is ready to expand its operation.

At least 26 people were reported to have been killed in Gaza by Israeli bombardments on Sunday. Of those, at least 14 were women and children, Gaza health officials said.

This brought the death toll in Gaza since Israel launched its Operation Pillar of Defence on Wednesday to 72, the officials said.

Air strikes continued late into the evening, with BBC correspondents also reporting renewed shelling from Israeli warships.

Three Israelis were killed on Thursday.

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