2008 Ends With a Bitter War in the Gaza Strip
A sad ending to 2008 is the start of a full-scale war between Israel and the Hamas, the ruling Palestinian political party in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Israel launched its deadliest campaign in decades against the Palestinians in response to rocket fired on civilians at southern Israeli towns. The Palestinian attack was implemented following the end of the agreed ceasefire on Dec. 19, 2008. Hamas leaders likewise threatened the increase of suicide attacks inside Israel.
On the third day of its Gaza assault, Israel’s air force turned to rubble symbols of Hamas power, striking next to the Hamas premier’s home, devastating a security compound and flattening a building at a university linked to the Islamic group. Death toll has reached 315 while 1,400 are wounded. According to the UN, 51 of the dead are civilians with 8 under the age of 17. Since midday Saturday, Israel has launched about 300 airstrikes on Gaza.
