Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 5 / Trend , U. Sadigova/
The Palestinian paramilitary organization and political party, Hamas, is responsible for the deaths of children in the Gaza Strip, said Eli Zarhin, head of the Israeli Association for Supporting Children of Returnees. Hamas has deliberately shelled residential areas in Israel for over four years, he added.
"The location of Hamas military facilities near residential areas in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of children during the Israeli attack," Zarhin told Trend in a telephone conversation. Israel launched military operations in Gaza after a 6-month ceasefire agreement expired with Hamas and the organization repeatedly shelled Ashkelon and Sderot with homemade Qassam rockets. "Dozens of Israeli children have been disabled due to Hamas deliberately shelling residential buildings," Zarhin said. "Israel retaliated by attacking Gaza." According to the BBC, physicians in Gaza report that 509 people have been killed and roughly 2,500 wounded since the launch of Operation Cast Lead. "Israel agrees to stop the war and sign a new agreement with Hamas on the condition that all parties will honor the truce," said Zarhin.
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