Gaza Rescue Worker Killed By Israeli Shelling

A Palestinian rescue worker was killed early on Saturday by Israeli shelling that targeted an ambulance eastern the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Yunis.



Palestinian Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qodra told Anadolu Agency that Israel's artillery had targeted the ambulance, killing the 32-year-old aid responder and totally destroying the vehicle.



Seven aid responders were killed and 16 others wounded since the beginning of Israel's war on the Gaza Strip on July 7.



The Israeli army also targeted 13 Palestinian Health Ministry and Red Crescent ambulances as well as 27 hospitals and a medical center, according to al-Qodra.



Since July 7, Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip with fierce aerial bombardments with the ostensible aim of halting rocket fire.



At least 865 Palestinians have been killed – mostly civilians – and more than 5730 others injured in Israel's ongoing offensive, now in its third week.



Gaza-based resistance factions, meanwhile, have continued to fire rocket at Israeli cities in response to relentless Israeli bombardments.



According to official Israeli figures, 35 Israeli soldiers and three civilians have been killed since the hostilities began.



Israel's military operation, dubbed operation "Protective Edge," is the self-proclaimed Jewish state's third major offensive against the densely-populate Gaza Strip – which is home to some 1.8 million Palestinians – within the last six years.



In 2008/9, over 1500 Palestinians were killed in Israel's three-week-long operation "Cast Lead."



By Mustafa Haboosh



englishnews@aa.com.tr



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