Israel launches air strikes on Gaza, 205 dead

GAZA CITY: Israeli warplanes retaliating for rocket fire from the Gaza Strip pounded dozens of security compounds across the Hamas ruled territory in unprecedented waves of airstrikes on Saturday, killing more than 200 people and wounding nearly 400 in the single bloodiest day of fighting in years.

Most of those killed were security men, but an unknown number of civilians were also among the dead. Hamas said all of its security installations were hit, threatened to resume suicide attacks, and sent at least 50 rockets crashing into Israeli border communities, according to the Israeli military’s count. One Israeli was killed and at least six people were wounded in the rocket attacks. With so many wounded, the Palestinian death toll was likely to rise.

The strikes caused widespread panic and confusion in Gaza, as black clouds of smoke rose above the territory, ruled by Hamas for the past 18 months. Some of the Israeli  missiles struck in densely populated areas as children were leaving school, and women rushed into the streets frantically looking for their children.

Said Masri sat in the middle of a Gaza City street, close to a security compound,  alternately slapping his face and covering his head with dust from the bombed out building.

“My son is gone, my son is gone,” wailed Masri, 57. The shopkeeper said he sent his 9 year old son out to purchase cigarettes minutes before the airstrikes began and now could not find him. “May I burn like the cigarettes, may Israel burn,” Masri moaned.