Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to “further intensify attacks on Hamas” in the Gaza Strip after talks with his defence chiefs. He said the Palestinian militants would “pay a heavy price” for their rocket attacks on Israel. Hamas fired more than 45 rockets at Israeli cities on Wednesday after Israel carried out dozens of overnight air strikes in Gaza. Gaza officials say 35 Palestinians have now died in the recent hostilities. The officials say half of the casualties were civilians, a number of them women and children. Hamas has warned that all Israelis are now targets. Israel earlier said it might send ground troops into Gaza. It has authorised the call-up of up to 40,000 military reservists. Hundreds of reservists have already been drafted. ‘Aggression’ Israel’s military said it had carried out 129 air strikes in Gaza on Wednesday, primarily targeting tunnels and rocket-launching pads. It brings to 550 the number of sites in Gaza attacked as part of “Operation Protective Edge”, including 31 tunnels and 60 rocket launchers. Some 48 rockets were fired at Israel on Wednesday, the military said. It added that the Iron Dome missile defence system intercepted two rockets above Tel Aviv on Wednesday morning, three over Ashkelon and three over Ashdod. The town of Hadera 100km (60 miles) north of Gaza, was also attacked, with an M-302 surface-to-surface rocket, the furthest target so far reached. Gaza health official Ashraf al-Kedra told AFP news agency that Israeli air strikes on Wednesday had killed four Palestinians in Shejaiya and two in Zeitun – both close to Gaza City – and two more in Beit Hanoun. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has demanded that Israel immediately stop the raids on Gaza and appealed for calm. Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida said Israel had violated the Egyptian-brokered truce that ended exchanges in 2012. “In the face of this aggression, we affirm that the Zionist enemy should not dream of calm and stability,” he said.– Source : BBC online
