Israeli PM says Gaza operation to last as long as it takes

Zee Media Bureau/Supriya Jha

As Operation Protective Edge entered day 48 Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said that the mission "may take time as it will continue till the aim is achieved", the AFP quoted him as saying on public radio. In public remarks to cabinet, Netanyahu also urged Gazans to evacuate from those areas where Hamas was carrying out terrorist activities.

In what raises questions at the lofty Palestinian death toll in recent cross-border violence, a video emerged that showed dead bodies, presumably killed in Israeli strikes, moving beneath the white shrouds. In the video, the movement of the dead can be clearly seen. Also, a corpse at the extreme right is seen lying with his shoes crossed, as if relaxing, that is very atypical of any one who is dead. However, the authenticity of the video was not verified and it was later removed from the YouTube.

The IDF has compared Hamas to the Sunni extremist group in Iraq and Syria, saying both the Hamas and Islamic state share the same ideology. The IDF has posted a tweet, illustrating another tweet by the armed wing of Hamas, al-Qassam Brigade postd on August 16, in which it says, "We are continuing our struggle. Allah is our goal, the Prophet is our leader, Jihad is our way and death for Allah is our most exalted wish.

Hamas is a radical terrorist organization, with the same Jihadist ideology as ISIS. pic.twitter.com/mpc1lbVYc8

— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) August 24, 2014

The tweeter was named Lina, describing herself as a Palestinian from Gaza living in Doha. In another tweet, she wrote, "a 9/11 is happening now as israel is targeting towers. Yet no one will call it that,because it`s Palestinians who are dying."

a 9/11 is happening now as israel is targeting towers. Yet no one will call it that,because it's Palestinians who are dying.— Lina ?? ?????? (@livefromgaza) August 23, 2014

IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Peter Lerner has called outrageous a tweet by a Palestinian who compared Israeli levelling of Gaza buildings to Osama bin Laden`s attack on twin tower (9/11 attacks).

Outrageous! @livefromgaza Did Bin Laden inform the people of the twin towers to evacuate? #Hamas used the buildings as C&C location = target— Peter Lerner (@LTCPeterLerner) August 23, 2014

Continuing with its practice of executing Palestinians suspected of spying for Israel, Hamas killed four more "collaborators". According to a news report, masked Hamas militants fatally shot the suspected Palestinians in the courtyard of a mosque in the Jabaliya refugee camp.

After rockets from Lebanon and Syria hit regions in Israel, IDF spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner said that Israel was being attacked on three fronts in last 24 hours.

Over the last 24 hours #Israel has been under-fire on three fronts - #Gaza #Lebanon & #Syria

— Peter Lerner (@LTCPeterLerner) August 24, 2014

In the latest attack in Gaza, Israeli strikes have toppled a 7-storey Zourab building that reportedly housed the Hamas-run Interior Ministry, reports said Sunday. Also damaged was a two-story commercial building with dozens of shops, which wounded seven people.

Israeli forces say at least five rockets fired from Syria hit different locations across the Golan Heights.

Overnight at least 5 rockets fired from #Syria hit different locations across the #Israeli Golan Heights.— Peter Lerner (@LTCPeterLerner) August 24, 2014

The IDF say that since midnight some 60 rockets have been fired towards Israel from Gaza and 525 rockets have been fired since the last ceasefire was broken by Hamas. The Israeli forces say that they warn the residents to keep away from terrorist sites and activities.

The UN chief Ban Ki-moon discussed Gaza situation with Israeli PM Bnejamin Netanyahu, reiterating the urgency “to return to calm” and encouraged him to take steps to facilitate the Egyptian efforts. In a statement the UN said, Ban “stressed the importance for the parties to establish a durable ceasefire with a view to a resumption of meaningful negotiations on a two-state solution.”

#UNSG Ban Ki-moon discusses crisis in #Gaza with Prime Minister of #Israel http://t.co/2nszMC97XG— UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) August 23, 2014

Israel targeted a Hamas operation room in a 12-storey apartment tower in Gaza City late Saturday, wounding at least 18 people, reports said. According to an AFP report, four of those injured were children. The IDF had warned the residents of the building to evacuate 10 minutes Even as Egypt and UN urge both the warring sides to return to the negotiating table, Israel and Gaza have continued escalating the cross-border fire. More than 2000 Palestinians have died in Israeli strikes which started last week after the latest ceasefire was violated by Gaza.