Gaza protests
- 00:01:49
- ITN
Gaza protests
Israeli tanks and infantry are battling Hamas fighters deep inside the Gaza Strip. Soldiers from the Jewish state entered the densely populated Palestinian enclave on Saturday evening. A column of Israeli tanks pushed deep into Gaza and Israel's navy prevented travel along the coast road, effectively cutting the territory in half. Ground forces killed eight Gazans, five of them gunmen, bringing the Palestinian death toll since the start of an airstrike campaign on December 27 to more than 450, Palestinian medical officials said. Israel said 30 of its soldiers were wounded, two seriously, and its aircraft struck more than 45 targets, including arms smuggling tunnels, weapons depots and mortar squads. Israel said it called up tens of thousands of reservists and the military's chief spokesman estimated the operation in the Hamas-run territory could take "many long days". Humanitarian agencies said the plight of the 1.5 million Palestinians crammed into the Gaza Strip is growing more desperate. People have taken shelter in their homes for days and water, food and medical supplies are running short. Hamas spokesman Abu Ubaida said: "The Zionist enemy must know his battle in Gaza is a losing one", while Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the Israeli attack as "a vicious aggression". At least a quarter of the 453 Palestinians killed in the current conflict have been civilians, a UN agency said. Another 2,050 Palestinians have been wounded. Four Israelis have been killed by rockets that continue to pound southern Israel. In New York, the UN Security Council held a special meeting to discuss the latest developments. The US refused to back a Libyan-drafted demand for an immediate truce. In London on Saturday there were clashes outside the Israeli Embassy between protesters and police wearing riot gear. At least 10,000 people had packed London's Trafalgar Square in the biggest of a series of rallies at home and abroad demanding an end to the military action. Hundreds of shoes were thrown at the gates of Downing Street during the march there, led by singer Annie Lennox, with demonstrators chanting "Shame on you, have my shoe" and "Brown terrorist". The main protest passed off peacefully but police later made 15 arrests outside the Israeli Embassy in South Kensington, claiming protesters tried to break through barriers and throw missiles. Respect MP George Galloway said he and his daughter were thrown to the ground in the underpass at Hyde Park, saying: "It was very frightening. The police trapped us in the tunnel and attacked us repeatedly." The Metropolitan Police defended its officers, saying they used "recognised and proportionate tactics" to control the crowd.
ITN | January 4, 2009
