Palestinians clamour for revenge after attack

The bodies of seven Palestinians killed in an Israeli missile strike have been carried through Nusseirat refugee camp on the …

The bodies of seven Palestinians killed in an Israeli missile strike have been carried through Nusseirat refugee camp on the Gaza Strip, with tens of thousands of mourners clamouring for revenge.

The seven, ranging in age from 11 to 49, were bystanders crowding around a car after it was targeted by a first missile, Palestinian officials said.

The Israeli military said it believed three of the dead were militants in the car. However, the vehicle did not take a direct hit, and witnesses said the wanted men escaped.

The attack in Nusseirat was one of five air strikes in the Gaza Strip on Monday. In addition to the seven killed in Nusseirat, three more Palestinians two Hamas militants and a bystander were killed in the other strikes.

READ MORE

About 100 Palestinians were wounded, hospital officials said. More than a dozen of those hurt were in serious condition.

The missile hits revived debate in Israel over targeted killings in crowded areas.

Israel's vice premier, Mr Ehud Olmert, said he considered the large numbers of civilian casualties "distressing," but that military strikes would continue, "especially in light of the murderous acts of terror groups".

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia called for international intervention, referring to the air strikes as "ugly crimes".

He complained the United States is not intervening, saying he believes that this is a "dangerous indication of the US government's intention to abandon" its role in peace efforts.

AP