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Israel Strikes Gaza - Day 6

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January 1, 2009

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 Israeli Air Strikes Continue

 Israeli warplanes continue air operations over Gaza. The Israeli Air Force is now trying to target the top leadership of Hamas in pinpoint air strikes. Warplanes also continue their efforts to suppress Hamas rocket fire.

 On Day 6 of Israel's "war" on Hamas, the tit for tat military action continues. Israel bombs with warplanes and Hamas responds with rocket launches and vice-versa. Israeli warplanes flew 20 sorties overnight. Hamas continues to use longer-range rockets on larger cities like Beersheba and Ashkelon. Israel counters with severe strikes on areas where the rockets were launched.

 In diplomatic circles, the UN continues to try to hammer out a cease-fire mandate that would force the violence to end, but so far the UN Security Council can only talk without conclusions.

 Israel did score a significant "kill" in its air strikes. A Hamas military commander in Gaza was among 10 people killed in an airstrike on a refugee camp on New Year's day. Nizar Rayan, a Hamas military commander died when an Israeli missile hit his house in the Jabalya Palestinian refugee camp north of Gaza, according to a CNN report. Israeli media reports that he is the most senior Hamas leader killed since the "war" began six days ago.

 Palestinian medical sources told CNN that 400 people have now been killed in Gaza since the "war" started with more than 2,000 wounded.

 In Israel, The Israeli version of the Red Cross - Mogen David - began adding volunteers and additional ambulances to a "war-time" footing, in expectation of an imminent ground invastion by IDF forces.

 French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Israel's Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni met on New Year's Day in Paris to discuss a diplomatic approach to ending the violence. The meeting is reportedly part of the French president's preparations for a trip to the Middle East in an effort to negotiate a peace accord or truce.

Overall Round Up of Events - from ABC News - LINK

UN Debates Gaza Situation -  LINK

Gaza Rockets Hit Ashdod - LINK

Top Hamas Leader Killed - LINK

French President Sarkozy Meets Israeli FM - LINK

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