RAMALLAH
At least 26 Palestinians from the Gaza Strip are detained by the Israeli army following its month-long offensive against the Palestinian enclave, the Palestinian Ministry of Prisoners Affairs said Friday.
The ministry said in a statement that the Israeli troops had detained hundreds of Palestinians from the border areas in the Gaza Strip during the devastating onslaught, before having released some of them while keeping others for interrogation.
At least 26 Gaza detainees are currently under interrogation in Ashkelon prison, the ministry said.
Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip for almost a month since July 7, killing at least 1894 Palestinians and injured 9817 others. Thousands of homes have also been destroyed in the offensive.
At least 64 Israeli soldiers have also been killed in battles with Palestinian fighters in the Gaza Strip and three civilians by rocket fire, according to Israeli figures.
Violence flared again on Friday following the end of a three-day ceasefire between Israel and Gaza-based Palestinian factions as indirect talks mediated by Cairo are yet to yield any agreement on a long-term truce.
The Gaza Strip, home to 1.8 million Palestinians, has been reeling under a crippling Israeli blockade since 2006, badly affecting the livelihood in the seaside enclave.
By Anees Barghouthy
englishnews@aa.com.tr
http://www.aa.com.tr/en
