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Mohammad Bahar, Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) deputy head, appealed to Egypt, the Arab League, and Organization of the Islamic Conference to intervene on Gaza's behalf to stop Israeli aggression.
UN and EU officials addressed the violence with contempt for Palestinian suffering, calling on both sides to show restraint and end the latest round of fighting, mindless of the belligerent and victim.
The latest Ma'an News account reported 17 Gazans killed, many more wounded after continued Israeli attacks. One killed a mother, her daughter, and injured a third child. Earlier, an elderly man was killed in Gaza City's Manara area.
Hours before midnight Friday, nine separate air, ground and offshore attacks struck various Gaza sites. Hamas accused Israel of using white phosphorous missiles in civilian areas, a frequently used weapon during Cast Lead.
On Thursday night, Hamas announced a unilateral ceasefire. Israel ignored it. On April 8, Haaretz writer Barak Ravid headlined, "Netanyahu warns Hamas: You will bear responsibility for attack on school bus," saying:
He referred to a homemade rocket hitting an Israeli school bus on Thursday, wounding the driver and a 16-year old boy. Hamas said it responded to an IDF air strike, killing three Palestinians on April 2. Israel always initiates conflict. Under international law, victims may retaliate in self-defense.
Nonetheless, Netanyahu claimed:
"The attack on a school bus crossed the line. Whoever tries to hurt and murder children, his blood (will) be on his own head."
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