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Israel's war against Hamas/Gaza. The 19th day:

While the number of killed Palestinians in Gaza is increasing almost hourly, the war, since yesterday, is slowly disappearing from the list of "the top stories" in the int'l media (at least in the "West").

The death toll on the Palestinian side now stands at nearly 1,000, among them at least 300 children and 100 women, according to the Palestinian health ministry. More than 4,500 have been injured, of whom around a half are women and children (hundreds are in very serious conditions).

Since the start of its offensive on December 27, IAF has bombed more than 2,000 targets in Gaza, an Israeli security source said.

Israel's fierce assault on Gaza has destroyed at least $1.4 billion worth of buildings, roads, pipes, power lines and other infrastructure in already impoverished territory, Palestinian surveyors estimate, y.net reported today.

More and more Gazans were fleeing their homes to seek shelter wherever they could. At least 29,000 are now holed up in UN schools operating as emergency shelters - more than 2,000 of them fled on last Sunday alone, in Gaza City and Khan Yunis, to the south. Thousands more are staying with relatives or friends (*).

Meanwhile a growing number of political and military analysts are asking about the real objectives of Israel's war in Gaza.

According to Netanyahu, "there are two options [in Gaza]. The eradication of the Hamas regime - and there will be no escaping this in the long run - and putting an end to its armament."

But more and more of analysts/observer/journalists, even in Israel, have no real idea about an answer!

As "proof" just check out following:
☞ A dangerous victory

☞ Israel doesn’t want to win  

☞ State officials: Barak encouraging Hamas  

☞ Israel must wait as Hamas seeks way out of Gaza mess

☞ Israel defense officials back immediate Gaza truce

Also very interesting is following approach (of an analysys):

☞ Can Israel Survive Its Assault on Gaza? (Time, 01.08)

* Some of the latest developments:

Israeli troops are fighting on the outskirts of Gaza City today after another night of heavy bombing and shelling.

There was heavy fighting in northern Gaza and around the edges of Gaza City, from where Israeli troops have mounted raids to within one kilometer of the city centre. Early today, the old Gaza city hall, a former court building, was destroyed in an air strike which damaged many shops in the nearby market.

Israel's military said it hit 60 sites overnight, including the police headquarters in Gaza City that had been hit on the first day of the operation, as well as rocket launching sites, weapons stores and 35 smuggling tunnels under the border with Egypt. Six Israeli soldiers were injured.

Three rockets fired from Lebanon landed in northern Israel in the second such attack since Israeli forces launched their Gaza offensive...

Related reports:

☞ Gaza death toll nears 1,000 (al-Jazeera, 1.14)

☞ 'They've killed us. Me, Amal and... They've gone to heaven' (Guardian, 1.14)

☞ Israeli troops reveal ruthless tactics against Hamas (The Times, 1.14)