Israel stood defiant last night in the face of mounting international condemnation, as it vowed to continue a massive bombing offensive against key targets in the Gaza Strip that left 205 dead and 700 others injured.

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It is hard to gauge Hamas’s popularity, but first signs were that the raids will rally support. “This is nothing short of a massacre, an outrage,” the Palestinian independent Hanan Ashrawi told the BBC from Ramallah. “The cycle of violence is generated by the occupation and by the ongoing state of siege that is attempting to collectively punish a whole people.

“This will enhance the standing of Hamas. People are sympathising with Hamas as the people who are being ruthlessly targeted by Israel. They are seen as victims of ongoing Israeli aggression.”

“This will enhance the standing of Hamas. People are sympathising with Hamas as the people who are being ruthlessly targeted by Israel. They are seen as victims of ongoing Israeli aggression.”

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Gazans cowered in their homes Sunday as Israeli warplanes pressing one of Israel’s deadliest assaults ever on Palestinian militants unleashed missiles on weapons warehouses, a police station, the homes of militant field commanders and dozens of other targets across the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip… [T]he U.N. Security Council expressed serious concern about the escalating situation in Gaza and called on Israel and the Palestinians to immediately halt all violence and military activities. The U.N.’s most powerful body called for a new cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and for the opening of border crossings into Gaza to enable humanitarian supplies to reach the territory.

AP

Meanwhile

Israeli far right gains ground as Gaza rockets fuel tensions

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