GAZA CITY
Palestinian resistance group Hamas said Sunday that the Israeli shelling of residential areas in al-Shujaya district in eastern Gaza City amounts to "a war crime."
"The massacre of civilians in al-Shujaya [by Israeli troops] is a war crime," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said in a statement.
Earlier in the day, Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qodra told Anadolu Agency that at least 13 Palestinians were killed and 200 others injured in Israeli shelling of residential areas, including al-Shujaya, in eastern Gaza City.
"This crime would not break the will of the Palestinian people, and the resistance would continue to inflict heavy damage on the Israeli army," Abu Zuhri added.
Dozens of Israeli tanks and military vehicles have forced their way into the eastern parts of Gaza City amid heavy artillery fire from the Israeli tanks in the area, prompting thousands of Palestinians to flee their homes towards the center of the city.
Eyewitnesses told Anadolu Agency that the Israeli troops advanced into Zaitoun, Toffah and al-Shujaya areas in eastern Gaza City where they pounded several homes.
The incursion was coupled with heavy fighting between the Israeli troops and Palestinian resistance fighters, the witnesses added.
Since July 7, Israeli army has been pounding the Gaza Strip with devastating air and naval bombardment with the ostensible aim of halting rocket fire.
On Thursday, the Israeli army launched a ground assault into the Palestinian territory, sending thousands of troops into the blockades seaside enclave.
At least 398 Palestinians including 83 children and 32 women have been killed and 4085 others injured in the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip since the start of the Israeli operation.
By Yasser al-Banna
www.aa.com.tr/en
