FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10 September 2010
Gaza City, GAZA STRIP
The Israeli military carried out air strikes on three regions of the Gaza Strip late last night, as inhabitants were preparing to celebrate Eid ul-Fitr, the Muslim holiday marking the end the holy month of Ramadan that starts today. It constitute the second missile attack by Israel on Gaza since negotiations resumed on 2 September 2010.
Just before 11PM (midnight Israeli time) last night (9 Sept. 2010) Israel dropped two missiles on Gaza City, three on Rafah, one on Beit Hanoun and a further missile on Deir Al Balah, a second central Gaza location.
Following the Gaza City bombing, which witnesses on the scene said landed inches from the spot of a previous missile attack near Arafat’s Compound one month ago, only two slight injuries have been reported so far.
However in Rafah, in south Gaza, it is feared that there may be casualties as there are currently reports of missing persons, predominantly among men who work in the tunnels connecting the besieged Gaza Strip to Egypt. The Jerusalem Post reported that Palestinian security forces had announced at least five injured.
As well as the missile dropped from the air on Beit Hanoun, in the north of the Gaza Strip, an Israeli tank also fired six shells. The target was a military training site of the armed wing of Hamas.
There are also unconfirmed reports of missiles in Khan Younis.
At the time of writing, one hour after the attacks, war planes were still hovering over Gaza, and residents said they feared further attacks.
Background
- This is the second time war planes have dropped bombs on the Gaza Strip since peace talks between Israel and Palestine resumed on September 2nd.
- The Rafah tunnels in South Gaza were also bombed on September 4th 2010 causing two deaths and two injuries.
- On 30th July 2010 Israel bombed Gaza City injuring seventeen people.
- The militant wing of Hamas fired several Qassam rockets into Israel yesterday and today but no injuries resulted.
Media contacts:
ISM Gaza, Adie Nistelrooy: 05977 176 96
ISM Media Office, Ramallah: 05461 800 56
