Eighty-nine children and 30 women amongst Gaza’s confirmed dead

The aerial blitz by Israeli defence forces (IDF) which began on December 27 against hapless Palestinians continues unabated. In a week-long savage attack, more than 400 Palestinians, including 113 women and 42 children, have died. Those injured are in the thousands.

The world remains a silent spectator to this savagery. Some Western leaders have issued pro forma appeals for a ceasefire to be rejected by Israel with disdain. In pursuance of its vicious policy of ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, Israeli Prime Minister Olmert has maintained that these attacks are "the first of several stages approved by the security cabinet."

Israel's brutal policies of genocide have received direct endorsement and encouragement by the US and EU. US President Bush, in a blatant show of uncritical support to Israel, has held Hamas responsible - "Hamas's continued rocket attacks into Israel must cease if the violence is to stop. Hamas must end its terrorist activities if it wishes to play a role in the future of the Palestinian people."
The official EU statement also merely expressed "concern at the events in Gaza." The statement did not carry any condemnation and reference to Israeli brutality to Palestinians. Neither of these statements referred to Israel by name nor condemned the carnage unleashed by IDF and the continued spree of killings and mayhem.

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The medical sources reported that more than 500 people including about 125 children and women have been killed in Gaza and some 2,500 wounded since the Israeli military operation began 10 days ago. Five Israelis have also been killed. The United Nations (UN) and independent sources confirm that most of the victims are civilians.

The Gaza hospitals will be unable to operate much longer unless it received fresh medical supplies. Many Palestinians are dying now because of lack of medical supplies and all operating rooms are full.

The hospitals say that the overwhelming majority of casualties they had treated were civilians. A Norwegian doctor told the BBC TV channel that women and children alone made up 25% of the death toll, and 45% of the wounded.