Plo Calls For Friday Rallies İn Protest At Israel's Gaza Assault

The umbrella Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) has called for rallies on Friday in protest at ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, which left at least 732 Palestinians dead.



In a Thursday statement, the PLO's Arab relations department said the rallies aim at showing solidarity with the Palestinian people "who are facing massacres and systematic destruction of their homes, mosques, schools and hospitals by Israeli army".



Since July 7, Israel has pummeled the Gaza Strip with fierce air and naval bombardments with the ostensible aim of halting Palestinian rocket fire.



Last week, Israel stepped up its offensive to include ground operations, sending thousands of troops into the embattled coastal enclave.



At least 732 Palestinians have been killed – mostly civilians – and more than 4500 others injured in the relentless Israeli attacks.



Thirty-two Israelis, including 30 soldiers, have also been killed since the hostilities began.



Israel's operation "Protective Edge" is the self-proclaimed Jewish state's third major offensive against the densely-populated strip – home to some 1.8 million Palestinians – within the last six years.



In 2008/9, over 1500 Palestinians were killed – the vast majority of them civilians – during Israel's three-week-long "Operation Cast Lead."



By Qais Abu Samra



englishnews@aa.com.tr



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