Palestinians killed on Gaza beach by Israeli gunboats
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Lt-Gen Dan Halutz, the Israeli chief of staff, ordered an end to the shelling from land and sea, which had continued throughout the day in retaliation for Palestinian rocket fire into the western Negev. The army apologised for the incident, saying it "regretted the attack on innocent people".
The Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned what he called a "bloody genocide" in Gaza and called on the international community, including the United States, Europe and the UN Security Council, to intervene.
Earlier yesterday, an Israeli air strike killed three gunmen. A military spokesman said they were hit minutes after firing a Qassam rocket into Israel.
Israeli forces had been alerted after Palestinian militants vowed to avenge Thursday's killing of Jamal Abu Samhadana, who headed the Hamas government's security forces in the Gaza Strip. Mr Abu Samhadana died with at least three members of the umbrella Popular Resistance Committee when warplanes hit a military training camp.
Abu Abir, a Popular Resistance Committee spokesman, said: "Our rockets will rain into the Zionist entity and our heroes will blow themselves up among their dirty bodies," he said.
Israel accused Mr Abu Samhadana of planning and ordering many of the rocket attacks which have pounded the Negev since Israel withdrew from Gaza last August.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments