The National Staff
GAZA CITY // An attack on a park in Gaza killed at least 10 Palestinians on Monday, shattered hopes for a peaceful Eid.
Eight children and two adults died in the huge explosion, with some calling it an “Eid massacre”, according to Palestinian news agency Ma’an. Forty-six Palestinians were also wounded.
Palestinians blamed Israel for the attack, but Israel denied responsibility, saying the explosion was a caused by a misfired Hamas rocket.
Ayman Sahabani, head of the emergency room at nearby Al Shifa Hospital, said that children were playing on a swing when the explosion occurred the park in the Shati refugee camp on the edge of Gaza City. The blast in the park occurred a few minutes after the hospital’s outpatient clinic was also hit by an explosion, leaving several people wounded.
In Israel, at least four civilians were also killed by a mortar shell fired from Gaza. Army radio said at least 12 other people had been injured in the strike some six kilometres from the border.
Speaking at the country’s defence ministry, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu swept away hopes that the bloody conflict will end soon, saying Israelis must be prepared for protracted operation in Gaza. He said the military offensive will continue until tunnels from Gaza into Israel are destroyed.
“Bravery and determination are needed to fight a terror group which seeks our destruction,” Mr Netanyahu said, according to local media. “We must be prepared for a prolonged campaign.”
The Israeli premier also demanded the international community supervise and monitor construction materials entering the Gaza Strip, which he said were used to construct tunnels.
The Israeli defence minister Moshe Yaalon also spoke of a lengthy campaign saying it could take “many more days until the quiet is restored.”
And military Chief of Staff Benny Gantz reiterated a warning to civilians in Gaza to stay away from Hamas.
“Gaza residents should distance themselves from areas in which Hamas is acting because we will get there and it will be painful,” he said, shortly after the army sent messages to residents living near Gaza City to flee their homes.
“A short while ago, phone calls were made and text messages were sent out to the civilian population of Shejaiya, Zeitun and eastern Jabaliya calling them to evacuate immediately towards central Gaza City,” an army statement said, referring to areas north, south and east of Gaza City.
Shortly afterwards it said it had also sent similar messages to the civilian population of Jabaliya, Beit Hanun and Beit Lahiya in the north.
Also on Monday, Palestinian gunmen slipped into Israel from Gaza and entered a village near the border before being repelled by the army, Israeli television said, adding that five militants had been killed.
The war, now in its 21st day, has killed more than 1,050 Palestinians, mainly civilians, according to the Palestinian health ministry. Israel has lost 43 soldiers, as well as two Israeli civilians and a Thai worker killed by rocket and mortar attacks from Gaza.
The strikes occurred on a day of heavy fighting after a temporary humanitarian ceasefire.
With diplomatic efforts sputtering, the United States is fuming over Israeli criticism of secretary of state John Kerry’s latest bid to secure a ceasefire.
In unusually harsh language, officials said the criticism of Mr Kerry could put the relationship between the US and Israel in jeopardy. They also said the personal attacks on Mr Kerry cross a line and are particularly disappointing at a time of active conflict.
Israeli media commentators have levelled almost non-stop criticism at Mr Kerry in recent days over his attempts to bring Qatar and Turkey into the ceasefire negotiations. Both countries are viewed by Israel as strong Hamas supporters.
Mr Kerry said on Monday that international efforts to agree on a truce between the two sides must lead to the disarmament of Hamas.
Mr Kerry said he was continuing to work “toward establishing an unconditional humanitarian ceasefire.” But he added: “We also believe that any process to resolved the crisis in Gaza in a lasting and meaningful way must lead to the disarmament of Hamas and all terrorist groups.”
Meanwhile, United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon accused Mr Netanyahu and Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal of being irresponsible and “morally wrong” for letting their people get killed in the conflict. He urged them to demonstrate “political will” and “compassionate leadership” to end the suffering of war-weary citizens.
“Gaza is in critical condition” after pummeling by Israeli forces that has killed helpless civilians and raised “serious questions about proportionality,” he said. Mr Ban said there must be accountability and justice for actions committed by all sides.
The Security Council issued its strongest statement yet on the Gaza war at an emergency meeting just after midnight, but it was not a resolution and therefore not legally binding — a point criticised on Monday by Palestinians, who said they will keep pressing the UN’s most powerful body to adopt a strong resolution.
The presidential statement urged Israel and Hamas “to accept and fully implement the humanitarian ceasefire” and said this would allow for the delivery of urgently needed assistance.
The council also called on the parties “to engage in efforts to achieve a durable and fully respected ceasefire, based on the Egyptian initiative.”
Palestinian UN Ambassador Riyad Mansour said the council should have adopted a strong and legally binding resolution a long time ago demanding an immediate halt to Israel’s “aggression,” providing the Palestinian people with protection and lifting the siege in the Gaza Strip so goods and people can move freely.
* with reporting by Reuters, Associated Press, Agence France-Presse