Update from Gaza

There seems to be only intermittent reports from Harry Fear, due to power cuts and/or internet disruption.

In this latest he reports that of 9 am Gaza time Israeli casualties are 17 killed (9 soldiers, 8 civilians) with 653 injuries. - (CORRECTION - I believe the figure is 4 dead)

I will update this as news feeds come in during the day

News Update from Gaza

From the last couple of hours

RT,

20 November, 2012

Nov. 20, 19:20 GMT: The Israeli Defense Ministry said a civilian was killed by rocket fire from Gaza. An IDF soldier was killed in a separate mortar attack in the morning, bringing the Israeli death toll to five.

Nov. 20, 19:00 GMT: The IDF says it has targeted “20 terror sites” in the Gaza Strip over the last hour. Israel has conducted over 1,350 aerial and sea attacks against Gaza since Operation Pillar of Defense began on November 14.

Nov. 20, 18:55 GMT: More explosions and heavy shelling are being reported from Gaza. Some of the areas targeted are those where IAF leaflets were dropped earlier, RT's Paula Slier reports.

­Nov. 20, 18:15 GMT: On Friday the Knesset, Israel's parliament, has approved a request by of the IDF to raise the number of army reservists called up for the operation to 70,000. On Friday, the move was approved by the cabinet.

Nov. 20, 18:00 GMT: The IDF acknowledged the death of an Israeli soldier as a result of a rocket attack on Eshkol, an Israeli TV channel was quoted by Naharnet. The soldier was identified as 18-year old Yosef Fartuk. This brings the Israeli death toll from the assault on Gaza to 4.

Nov. 20, 17:40 GMT: Sources in Jerusalem say Israel "hasn't agreed to any version of a ceasefire deal" with Gazan factions, RT's Paula Slier reports from Israel.

Nov. 20, 16:46 GMT: Six men accused of collaboration with Israel have been publicly executed in Gaza City, AP reports. They were shot dead at a busy intersection, with Hamas' military wing claiming responsibility.

Nov. 20, 16:36 GMT: An Israeli airstrike has killed two journalists working for the Hamas-run al-Aqsa TV station, the Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' military wing, reported on Twitter.

From al Jazeera

Gaza 10 minutes ago

Rockets fired from Gaza hit the southern Israeli port city of Ashdod on Tuesday, damaging buildings and causing a number of injuries.

One rocket seriously damaged a row of shops with leaving several people needing medical treatment.

Otniel Shneller, a member of parliament from the Kadima party, visited the the scene of the Ashdod strike and said the attack showed that Israel should press ahead with its assault on Gaza and reject, for now, calls for a ceasefire.

"Israel would like to create peace but for this reason we have to go forward in our activities right now, military activities," he said. "Then the atmosphere will be ready to make a right decision on both sides."

Gaza 21 minutes ago

Gaza City appears to be hit by a large blast, details are not immediately available.

Gaza 45 minutes ago

An Israeli civilian was killed by a rocket from Gaza on Tuesday, a defence ministry spokesman said, shortly after the army confirmed that a soldier had also been killed by Palestinian rocket fire, raising the death toll to two.

"Yes, I can confirm it," a defence ministry spokesman told AFP, saying the strike had killed Alayaan Salem al-Nabari, a Bedouin from the southern Negev desert.

Gaza about an hour ago

Al Jazeera's Jacky Rowland, in Gaza City, said there appeared to be an "escalation" of attacks on northern Gaza on Tuesday night.

"There has been sustained heavy artillery fire coming into the northern Gaza Strip from tanks lined up along the Israeli border," she said, adding that there had been "no major onslaught" on Gaza City.

Anonymous Press @AnonymousPress
#BREAKING: Reports say attempt by #Egypt to broker #Gaza , #Israel ceasefire have failed. Israel to step up offensive.
Retweeted by PLF

Confirmed death toll in Gaza: 175 (as per Harry Fear)

AFP office in Gaza hit in Israeli airstrike

The office of Agence France-Presse in the Gaza Strip has been hit in an Israeli airstrike on the besieged Palestinian territory.

White phosphurus being used in Gaza

Medical sources confirm that white phosphorous was used by Israel in attacks today!

White phosphurus was also used by Israel in its 2009 invasion

"The use of white phosphorus is notable because of its incendiary properties, which can inflict severe burns. Phosphorus itself is also highly toxic, much being absorbed into the body from the burn. This has potential to cause multiple organ systems to fail, but death from shock would usually happen before, given enough particles imbedded in the body." - Wikipedia

Scenes from 2009

Palestine Telegraph @PTelegraph

Breaking News: 75% of Gaza dress in darkness as Israel cut power supplies

LATEST FROM HARRY FEAR 

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Harry Fear ‏@harryfear

I have no internet. These are cellular updates. I cannot leave my apartment; it is too dangerous.

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29m Harry Fear ‏@harryfear

I admit I fear tonight, even for my own safety; far more than before, as Israel has been targeting journalists and civilians.

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30m Harry Fear ‏@harryfear

I am okay. Don't worry. I hope the live stream caught the incoming missile sound.

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31m Harry Fear ‏@harryfear

I am not injured but we have lost electricity and I heard Israel struck something in my street. The building shook. Goodnight.

Israel jets bomb Hamas government building in Gaza City

Israeli jets have bombed the Hamas government building in Gaza City as efforts to broker a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip have been delayed due to the Israeli regime’s foot-dragging.

02.34 GMT - If you go on now you can hear the terrifying sound of drones and other aircraft - there to terrorize the Palestinian population

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/operation-pillar-of-cloud

Iran will discuss Syria crisis with Egypt, Turkey: Iran FM

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi says Iran, Egypt, and Turkey will discuss the Syrian crisis on the sidelines of the Eighth Summit of the Developing Eight (D8) group in Pakistan.

Press TV,

21 November

Salehi made the remarks upon his arrival at Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto International Airport on Tuesday night, IRNA reported.

On Sunday, Tehran hosted a two-day meeting between the representatives of the Syrian government and opposition groups.

Almost 200 participants, including Syrian scholars, tribal and religious leaders, representatives of different ethnicities, minorities and the opposition as well as representatives from other countries attended the meeting.

Heads of state and government from the eight developing Muslim countries are gathering in Islamabad to attend the D8 summit -- scheduled to be held on Thursday -- in order to find ways to boost their economic ties.

Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey are the members of the D8 group. 

3.27 GMT

Netanyahu: Israel will use any means necessary to stop rockets

Zionist israeli PM Netanyahu said Israel will use any means necessary to stop rockets from Gaza, Press TV reported.

al -Jazeera

About four hours ago, the Israeli army tweeted out a "warning" to journalists, advising them to "stay away from Hamas operatives and facilities". The al-Qassam Brigades have since issued their own response to that allegation, in tweet form.

IDF✔

@IDFSpokesperson

Warning to reporters in Gaza: Stay away from Hamas operatives & facilities. Hamas, a terrorist group, will use you as human shields.IDF✔

@IDFSpokesperson21 Nov 12

Warning to reporters in Gaza: Stay away from Hamas operatives & facilities. Hamas, a terrorist group, will use you as human shields.

Alqassam Brigades@AlqassamBrigade

@IDFSpokesperson Warning to Israelis:Stay away from Israeli#IDF = #IOF, We just targeting Israeli soldiers, fighter jets, tanks and bases.21