Israeli Onslaught on Gaza Continues Unabated

Palestinians in Gaza have had no reprieve from merciless aerial bombardments at the hands of their Israeli occupiers with the campaign continuing through to a second day.

With the Gazan death toll continuing to ominously climb amid a second day of a brutal military offensive that has wreaked havoc and wide-spread destruction, the latest target seems to have been nothing more threatening than a pharmacy. The attack took place around 7:00am local time in the southern Gaza city of Rafah with a missile slamming into a pharmacy or possibly a pharmaceutical plant demolishing the entire structure. Medicine could be seen strewn all about the immediate area. Video showed firemen attempting to control the huge fireball that ensued with residents pouring out onto the streets to inspect the damage. Many of the surrounding homes in the residential Hi Alijnina were severely damaged or altogether destroyed by the strike. The Israeli offensive has so far claimed nearly 300 Palestinian lives with as many as a 1000 being reported injured, many severely. Full casualty figures are hard to tabulate due to the ongoing bombardment and the many still trapped under rubble. The campaign has been described by its perpetrators as being indefinite and may soon go from the aerial phase to an all-out ground assault with reserves being called up to duty today according to Israeli media. The United Nations has released a statement urging an end to violence with the Arab league planning a January 2nd emergency meeting at the request of Qatar to discuss the deteriorating situation. The international community has called for a halt to the violence with Brazil condemning the Israeli "disproportionate response" and lamenting the civilian loss of life. Israeli stalwart the U.S however blamed Hamas "thugs" for the violence giving the green light for continued attacks, while new Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence cannon pledged Israeli support pointing to "Israel's clear right to defend itself".