Gaza's Death Toll Reaches 1636

Thirty-six Palestinians were killed and 100 others injured by Israeli strikes in different parts of the Gaza Strip since the early hours of Saturday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said.



"The new fatalities raise to 1636 death toll in the Gaza Strip from Israel's war since the beginning of this war on July 7," Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qodra said.



"The new casualties also raise to 8850 the number of Palestinians who were injured by this war," al-Qodra added.



He added that the most violent attacks in the past few hours targeted the southern Gaza Strip City of Rafah where, according to al-Qodra, Israel had committed a new massacre against "peaceful" Palestinian families.



A 72-hour humanitarian truce that started at 8: 00am (0500 GMT) on Friday collapsed a short time later when Israel resumed its strikes against Rafah city.



Israel said it did not abide by the ceasefire after one of its army units was attacked in the southern part of Gaza, accusing Hamas of violating the ceasefire.



The Israeli army said later that one of its troops was abducted, while two of his colleagues were killed.



The truce was mediated by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and United States Secretary of States John Kerry. Israel and the Palestinians should have sent negotiators to discuss a durable ceasefire in the Egyptian capital Cairo.



Israel's attacks were, however, considered by the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas as an attempt by Israel to mislead the world and justify its killing of Palestinian civilians.



The movement did not either deny or confirm the abduction of the Israeli soldier.



By Mustafa Haboosh



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