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Indybay Feature

Israel Rejects Gaza Ceasefire

by IOL (reposted)
UNITED NATIONS — Israel rejected Friday, January 9, a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, vowing more attacks in the bombed-out strip.
"Israel has never agreed for any outside influence to decide on its right to defend its citizens," Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said in a statement cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

"The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) will continue to operate in order to defend the citizens of Israel and will carry out the task it was given for the operation."

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said that Israel will pursue the Gaza blitz to defend its interests.

"Israel has acted, is acting, and will continue to act only according to its calculations, in the interest of the security of its citizens and its right to self defense," she said.

The UN Security Council late Thursday adopted a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Passed by 14 votes, the resolution calls for an "immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire", and for Israel to withdraw from Gaza.

The resolution, pressed for by Arab countries in the face of efforts by Britain, France and the United States for a more muted statement, condemns "all violence and hostilities directed against civilians and all acts of terrorism."

It urges member states to intensify efforts for arrangements and guarantees in Gaza "to sustain a durable ceasefire and calm, including to prevent illicit trafficking in arms and ammunition and to ensure the reopening of the crossing points (into Gaza)."

The British-drafted resolution also calls for the unimpeded provision humanitarian assistance to Gaza, including food, fuel and medical treatment.

It welcomes initiatives aimed at "creating and opening humanitarian corridors and other mechanisms for the sustained delivery of humanitarian aid."

The United States, Israel's chief ally, abstained.

Unabated

Israeli troops continued to batter Gaza Strip with bombs and shells early Friday.

Six family members were killed when tanks shelled a house in Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza.

Residents said that Israeli warplanes also pounded the outskirts of Gaza City.

An army spokesman said that the Israeli air force hit at least 50 targets across the bombed-out strip.

The Israeli navy also staged artillery attacks on central Gaza.

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