The Free Press Journal

Gaza family’s four boys shot dead

The children were playing on beach when they were killed by gunfire

- AFP/WAKIL KOHSAR

The Israeli air raids on Gaza proved to be tragic for a Palestinia­n family which lost its four boys in one such a bombardmen­t.

The four boys of one fishing family were playing on Gaza beach on Wednesday after noon when they were killed by gunfire from Israeli warships carrying a blockade of Gaza, according to media reports.

Fishermen who are based there strenuousl­y deny that any ar ms, including rocket launchers were based, provoking the attack.

As the beach was deserted due to the conflict, the boys found it a perfect setting to play a game of soccer. The game proved to be deadly and claimed all of t hem.

The Israeli Defence Force claimed Israeli bombers mistook the young children for militants and said it is investigat­ing the incident.

Prior to the start of the temporary ceasefire, a rocket barrage was fired from Gaza into central Israel. While two rockets were intercepte­d, another rocket exploded in open territory in the norther n cen- tral plain. No injuries were reported.

Earlier Thursday, Israeli security forces foiled an infiltrati­on attempt by 13 Palestinia­n militants attempting to launch an attack by entering Israel through a tunnel which led from the souther n Gaza Strip towards the souther n Israeli community of Sufa.

Israel has demanded a halt to the rocket fire and demilitari­sation of the strip. Hamas has demanded an end to the seven-year blockade on the enclave and the opening of the Rafah Crossing in the souther n Gaza Strip adjacent to the Egyptian border.

Israel resumes airstrikes

Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes resumed bombings on Gaza after a five-hour truce ended abruptly on Thursday with Hamas militants launching rocket attacks. A five-hour ceasefire was observed on the request of the United Nations for humanitari­an reasons, but hostilitie­s quickly resumed after it ended.The two sides agreed to the ceasefire to allow Palestinia­ns to stock up on food, water and other necessitie­s.

An earlier effort to permanentl­y stop the fighting failed when Israel resumed airstrikes following a brief, one-sided ceasefire brokered by Egypt.

 ??  ?? Young relatives of four boys cry during their funeral in Gaza City.
Young relatives of four boys cry during their funeral in Gaza City.
 ??  ?? People take part in a demonstrat­ion in front of the White House in Washington, DC, on Thursday, to protest against Israel's deadly bombing of Gaza.
People take part in a demonstrat­ion in front of the White House in Washington, DC, on Thursday, to protest against Israel's deadly bombing of Gaza.

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