In These New Times

PressTV

18th January, 2009

An Israeli helicopter hovering above the Gaza City continues to carry out fresh strike despite a unilateral ceasefire announced by Tel Aviv. 

Press TV broadcast live images of an Israeli helicopter hovering above the city and dropping its white phosphorous bombs on the city during a report by our correspondent Akram al-Sattari in the city. 

Columns of smoke could be seen rising from the targeted neighborhoods on the 23rd day of the Israeli offensive against the impoverished coastal silver which has so far killed around 1,200 Palestinians and injured 6000 others. 

A large number of the victims are women and children, according to figures by the UN and Palestinian medics. 

There has been no immediate report of the casualties of the fresh strike. 

The nonstop Israeli attacks come shortly after Tel Aviv announced a ‘unilateral ceasefire’ which it says has been in effect since 2:00 a.m. local time (0000 GMT). 

Hamas, the democratically-elected government of Gaza, has ruled out the possibility of any deal unless its demands are met, insisting that it would not accept the presence of Israeli troops in the region. 

The resistance movement also seeks the cessation of an 18-month Israeli blockade on the coastal sliver before its fighters suspend rocket attacks on Israel. 

In a response to a question about the arrival of the humanitarian aid for the Gazan people due to the ceasefire our correspondent said that Israeli officials have not taken a clear stance on this matter. 

Al Sattari added that he has unconfirmed information that Israeli troops may soon withdraw from the Strip. 

MSH/DT