Palestine, US condemn Gaza airstrikes

Source: CCTV.com | 12-28-2008 10:02

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has condemned the attacks. But he's also calling for restraint on both sides.

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad called an emergency meeting of the Council of Ministers in Ramallah, as Arab foreign ministers prepare to converge in Cairo for a similar meeting of the Arab League on Sunday to discuss the escalation of violence.

Meanwhile, Palestinian demonstrators have taken to the streets of Nablus and Hebron, holding up banners and chanting anti-Israeli slogans as they marched to protest the devastating airstrikes.

Hamas leader Ismail Haneya has accused Israel of committing massacres against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.

Ismail Haneya, Hamas leader in Gaza said "We'll not compromise or back down on our religion or cause. You'll not be able to destroy Gaza, because Gaza is too tough to be broken, too hard to be destroyed."

Meanwhile, the United States is blaming Hamas for breaking a cease-fire, and urging Israel to avoid civilian casualties. The White House is also calling on Hamas to end rocket attacks on Israel.

Gordon Johndroe, White House Spokesman said "Israel has said that they are targeting security and headquarter elements of Hamas. We have asked and urged Israel to avoid civilian casualties. We want the ceasefire to be restored. But we understand that Israel is reacting to the hundreds of rockets that have been fired upon the innocent people of Israel over the last few days."

The Bush administration insists that Israel has the right to defend itself.

Editor:Xiong Qu