Hamas ‘headquarters’ leveled by Israeli strike
The cabinet headquarters of Gaza’s Hamas government was hit on Saturday by four Israeli air strikes, according to Al Arabiya’s correspondent.
“The cabinet headquarters was targeted with four strikes and the government stresses that it remains committed to its positions and its stand alongside the people,” the Hamas government said in a statement.
Hamas headquarters blasted by Israeli missiles
Hamas officials have confirmed eyewitness reports that the building located in the Nasser neighborhood of Gaza City was virtually leveled in the strike.
“The headquarters was completely destroyed and neighboring houses were damaged as a result of the barbaric Israeli bombing,” a Hamas official told AFP.
In another strike near Jabalia on Saturday, at least 35 people were injured, according to emergency services spokesman Adham Abu Selmiya, who said the raid targeted the home of interior ministry official Ibrahim Salah.
The attack destroyed Salah’s three-story house and search was underway for additional victims, according to Al Arabiya’s correspondent.
Israeli missiles hitting Gaza and the buzz of drones overhead were consistent on Saturday, as Israeli tanks and troops massed on the border in preparation of a ground invasion. Israeli media also reported that 20,000 reservists have been called up.
“We are preparing for any possibility, a ground invasion is a possibility although it hasn’t been decided at this point,” said IDF spokeswoman Lieutenant Colonel Avital Liebovich. “We are ready to continue this operation “Pillar of Defense “until the peace and quiet and normality will return.”
Hamas claimed responsibility for firing at Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a four-hour strategy session with a clutch of senior ministers in Tel Aviv on widening the military campaign, while other cabinet members were polled by telephone on raising the mobilization level.
Three Israelis were killed Thursday by a rocket attack in the southern town of Kiryat Malachi. As of Saturday morning 39 Palestinians had been killed, among them more than half were civilians, according to Gaza health officials.
“Up until now we can say the situation is stable,” Dr. Ayman al-Sahbani, the head of the emergency unit at Gaza’s main al-Shifa hospital, said on Friday. “If it continues, we can’t [cope]. Of course we can’t. We hope to stop the [Israeli] aggression.”
