Israel Steps Up Gaza Attacks Ahead Of Truce

Israel intensified its artillery shelling of different parts of the Gaza Strip early on Friday, a short time before a 72-hour humanitarian ceasefire starts at 8: 00 Gaza local time (0500 GMT).



Israel's artillery, which is positioned on the northeastern border of the Gaza Strip, stepped up its shelling of the strip's eastern, northern and central parts, leaving six Palestinians dead and more than ten others injured lightly and moderately, eyewitnesses said.



One of the eyewitnesses said Israel's artillery took aim at homes and farmlands in eastern and southern Gaza as well as in the eastern Gaza City Shujaya residential neighborhood.



Israeli warplanes also launched strikes on different areas in Gaza, killing eight members of the same family, including four children, and injuring ten others.



The strikes also destroyed three homes in southern Gaza.



The United Nations and the United States managed to get assurances from the Palestinians and the Israelis that they are ready to abide by a 72-hour humanitarian truce that will start at 8: 00am Gaza local time (0500 GMT) on Friday.



The two sides are due to engage in talks in Cairo on a durable agreement that prevents the flare-up of violence between them in the future.



Israel's military offensive, however, has left vast areas of the Gaza Strip in total ruin. Thousands of Gaza homes were either totally or partially destroyed by Israeli attacks.



Israel also lost around 61 of its troops in Gaza combat and three additional civilians to rockets fired from the Gaza Strip.



By Mustafa Haboosh



englishnews@aa.com.tr



www.aa.com.tr/en - Gazze