Israeli Shelling Kills 2 Palestinians, 7 Bodies Pulled From Rubble
By Ma'an News Agency
28 July, 2014
Maannews.net
GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- The death toll in Gaza increased by nine on Monday as two Palestinians were killed by Israeli shelling in the north and seven bodies were pulled from rubble in the south, a Ma'an reporter said.
Israeli forces early afternoon shelled the al-Salam neighborhood in eastern Jabaliya, killing two Palestinians, one of them a child.
The shelling targeted houses the neighborhood, killing Muhammad Abu Luz, 22, and four-year-old Samih Jibril Junaid.
Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades clashed with Israeli forces in the area, firing six mortars at soldiers.
They militants also fired at soldiers with small arms weaponry.
An Israeli army spokeswoman did not immediately comment on the incident.
Later, statement from the army said Israeli forces in various areas of Gaza had come under mortar fire.
Separately, Palestinian search teams were able to enter the village of Khuzaa, and collected seven dead bodies from rubble.
Six of the seven dead Palestinians were identified as being a part of a single family.
The village has been hit hard by Israeli shelling and airstrikes, leaving dozens dead on July 22 alone. Israeli forces have since besieged the area and severely limited access to ambulances and medical teams searching for dead and survivors.
Some 15 ambulances were waiting near the village earlier Monday, waiting for permission from the army to enter.
The latest deaths and discovery of bodies brought the total death toll up to 1,044 on the 21st day of the offensive.
'No demilitarization while occupation continues'
Gaza factions said in a statement that they had engaged in "fierce clashes" with Israeli forces in various areas of the Strip throughout the day.
They said militant groups would continue fighting until the demands of the Palestinian people were met.
"The resistance will continue defending Palestinians against the Israeli war despite the pressures and conspiracies that intend to diminish Palestinian self-determination," Popular Resistance Committes leader Ayman al-Shashniya said in a statement.
Additionally, factions rejected the idea of demilitarization of Gaza, which has been demanded by Israel and the US in recent days amid talk of a potential ceasefire.
"The calls for disarming the resistance are very dangerous while still under Israeli occupation," the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine said in a statement.
"The resistance's weapons will never be a subject to negotiation as long as there is one meter of Palestinian land under occupation and settlements, based on the 1967 borders," DFLP leader Saleh Zeidan said.
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