Maureen Miller
AC360° Writer
The Mideast conflict in Gaza has taken its bloodiest turn. Today Israeli artillery shells hit a U.N. school where hundreds of Palestinians were seeking shelter. Israel is defending the strike saying Hamas militants were firing mortars from the school.
The attack killed at least 40 refugees and wounded dozens more.
Israel's military still surrounds Gaza City. Eyewitnesses have also seen Israeli forces near the southern city of Khan Younis. Will they move deeper into both cities? If so, that would take the battle to a new level.
There are also diplomatic efforts underway. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is at the U.N. tonight pushing for a cease-fire resolution.
Anderson will be reporting again tonight from the Israel/Gaza border with the latest developments on the conflict.
We'll also be discussing President-elect Barack Obama's comments on the crisis today. For the first time, he talked about the casualties.
"The loss of civilian life in Gaza and in Israel is a source of deep concern for me. And after January 20th, I am going to have plenty to say about the issue," said Obama.
He is vowing to get actively engaged in the Mideast, but not until after he's sworn in.
How would you like to see President Obama deal with the Mideast? Share your thoughts with us below and we hope you'll join us at 10pm ET.
| william hunt |
January 6th, 2009 9:16 pm ET what about reporting the 4 terrorists that were launching mortors from the very street where the mortors hit that killed the civilians, don't cry about civilian casualties if Hamas is using them to shield terrorist operations. |
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| Irene |
January 6th, 2009 9:54 pm ET Hamas uses civilian residences, schools, hospital etc., as repositories for weapons and as launching pads. Then they shed "crocodile" tears over innocent victims. Those people go beyond terrorism into beastiality. |
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| kalyn |
January 6th, 2009 9:58 pm ET It's about the civilians of Gaza that are living in terror, without food, water, or medical attention.. This has got to STOP!! .. Israel is not going to be able to solve this with bombs.. Hamas is a gass roots organization that lives amongest the civilian population, bombing is only killing the innocent.. |
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| Annie Kate |
January 6th, 2009 10:01 pm ET Israel should not target a school where there could be children no matter how many rockets are launched from there – send in ground troops to break up Hamas there; don't target the innocent even when Hamas uses them as target shields. |
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| Mona |
January 6th, 2009 10:07 pm ET If that was the case that there were hamas militants firing from the school, how come the UN workers there have not confirmed these claims of the militants? in fact the UN has asked israel to investigate this massacre. seems like a good way to blame hamas for their grave and inhumane mistake. |
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| ray |
January 6th, 2009 10:10 pm ET well how about the israelis allow the press, especially CNN to go inside those areas and show us who is telling the truth about what really is going on there ??!!!! |
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| Nehma |
January 6th, 2009 10:20 pm ET What do you mean don't cry about civilian casualties...R they not human...Do the palestinian children and woman not count as people dying inociently or is it only the israel solider's death more important....at least he went in as a solider armed....but these children and woman were hiding for shelter in a UN school....Come on where is the justice in this world.... |
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| Ali |
January 6th, 2009 10:25 pm ET So William, it is justifiable to kill kids. What goes round comes round. |
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| peggy |
January 6th, 2009 10:31 pm ET I think it is horrible how we only hear the story from Isreal They tell us Hammas used them as human shields the whole nthing is undemocartic, inhuman and a horror and massacre |
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| Ashley |
January 6th, 2009 10:32 pm ET Don't cry about civilians? Well the reason we are crying about civilians is because we are proud Americans who feel that it is our obligation to look out for helpless and desperate innocent people. This is why America is great because it helps those in need and stands up for innocent victims. Israel bombed a U.N school. and the justification is that it was a mistake. What if Hamas said that all the rockets it fired were inadvertent actions. PLEASE! No one is buying the 'we didn't know' lies any longer. PLEASE STOP KILLING INNOCENT PEOPLE!!! |
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| peggy |
January 6th, 2009 10:35 pm ET I hope Barak will help the people of Gaza ,someone has to. I voted for him because I felt he would be fair I will be very disappointed in him if he doesnt help |
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| S Callahan |
January 6th, 2009 10:43 pm ET I agree with William...I have concern for the manipulation of public sympathy by Hamas...that is cruel to the citizens of Gaza who are suffering greatly and deceptive to the world. They were in the wrong for inticing israel...and should humble themselves , admit it, and stop using their citizens as a bargin chip...if they want to be viable in the world they have to start acting like it otherwise they just appear vengenful. |
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