One Palestinian Dead, Others Wounded in Israeli Air Strikes

Gaza was attacked again tonight by F16's as it suffers another power blackout.

Courtesy: Carlos Latuff

(SALEM / GAZA) - One Palestinian civilian was killed and at least four others wounded as Israeli jet fighters struck in different parts of the Gaza Strip in the dark of night.

According to hospital officials, the deceased man was in his 50s or 60s. He was apparently a guard for an animal farm east of Gaza city, and their mobile house was hit by one of the three missiles launched. His adult son was injured.

The IDF reported that their IAF targeted "Gaza terror sites" was in response to rockets fired Saturday from the Gaza Strip at Israeli southern communities which they say hit the Hof Ashkelon Regional Council yesterday causing light injuries to an Israeli woman.

Other reports say that a Kassam rocket exploded in the Ashkelon Coast Regional Council Friday but caused no injuries, just light damage to buildings in the blast radius.

What many reports do not include is that the rocket attack came after an Islamic Jihad terrorist was wounded by IDF fire in the northern Gaza Strip late Friday night.

The IDF Spokesman's Unit said it was unaware of that particular incident in Gaza.

In retaliation, IAF aircraft targeted three alleged "terror tunnels" and what they say is a weapon manufacturing facility in the Gaza strip overnight.

It was confirmed that they had "direct hits", and that the Israeli fighter jets returned safely to their bases.

"The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli civilians, and will operate against anyone who uses terror against the State of Israel. The Hamas terror organization is solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip," said the IDF press release.

Though Hamas has openly stated to the world that they do not condone these rocket attacks, they have not lost their interest in Palestine's freedom.

"Hamas would never acknowledge the Israeli state", Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the Palestinian movement in Gaza said Friday.

"They (West) want from us to stop resistance and acknowledge Israel but I herewith announce that this will never happen," Haniyeh said though an interpreter.

"Our message and the message of all those who lost their blood in the Palestinian lands is that all occupied lands will eventually be liberated from Israeli occupation," Haniyeh said.

Bonnie King has been with Salem-News.com since August '04, when she became Publisher. Bonnie has served in a number of positions in the broadcast industry; TV Production Manager at KVWB (Las Vegas WB) and Producer/Director for the TV series "Hot Wheels in Las Vegas", posts as TV Promotion Director for KYMA (NBC), and KFBT (Ind.), Asst. Marketing Director (SUPERSHOPPER MAGAZINE), Director/Co-Host (Coast Entertainment Show), Radio Promotion Director (KBCH/KCRF), and Newspapers In Education/Circulation Sales Manager (STATESMAN JOURNAL NEWSPAPER). Bonnie has a depth of understanding that reaches further than just behind the scenes, and that thoroughness is demonstrated in the perseverance to correctly present each story with the wit and wisdom necessary to compel and captivate viewers. View articles written by Bonnie King