Reply #4: Guardian; [View All]

[Englander]

Gaza families watch in awe and fear as Israelis pour in 300 shells a day

· Minister defends daily barrage bill of £125,000
· Palestinian girl 15th to be killed in Gaza since Friday

Conal Urquhart in Beit Lahiya, Gaza
Wednesday April 12, 2006
The Guardian

The Israeli government said yesterday it would continue its bombardment of northern Gaza with an estimated 300 shells a day despite international criticism over the death of a young girl.

Shaul Mofaz, the defence minister who is touring Israel's borders with Gaza, said: "As long as it's not quiet here (in Israel), it won't be quiet there (in Gaza)."

Israeli forces have been firing shells close to Palestinian communities to stop militants from firing rockets at Israeli communities. The army continued to bombard the outskirts of Beit Lahiya yesterday, but Palestinian militants fired their homemade missiles from different residential areas, which they believe are safe from Israeli reprisals.

>snip

Ghabeen, believed to be aged between four and 12, was the 15th Palestinian to be killed in Gaza since Friday in shell and air attacks. Israel has been firing about 300 shells a day at Gaza at an estimated cost of more than £125,000 a day, according to the Israeli media.

Palestinian militants have fired about 50 missiles at Israel in the past month without causing serious injury.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,,1752001,00.html