Israeli Strikes Destroy 3 Gaza Mosques

Israeli warplanes pounded three mosques in different areas in the Gaza Strip in the early hours of Wednesday, but no injuries were reported, eyewitnesses said.



The airstrikes totally destroyed the three mosques in Al-Shati refugee camp in western Gaza City, Sheikh Ijlin district in southern Gaza City and Beit Lahia town in northern Gaza Strip, the witnesses added.



The new airstrikes brought up to 74 the mosques totally or partially destroyed in the ongoing Israeli offensive against the Gaza Strip, now in its fourth week.



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



At least 1232 Palestinians have been killed – mostly civilians – and more than 7020 others injured in Israel's ongoing onslaught.



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



According to official Israeli figures, at least 56 Israelis – 53 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



www.aa.com.tr/en - Gazze