DEVELOPING: Mideast Conflict
By: Austin Kellerman/Tracie Potts
Updated: December 30, 2008
It appears this morning that Israel is digging in for a long fight with the Palestinians, rejecting any truce. Israel's three-day campaign, aimed at Hamas, has led to hundreds of Palestinian deaths in Gaza including some civilians.
President Bush has spoken to Jordan's King Abdullah and he's being kept up to date on what's happening as the world tries to figure out how to stop missiles from killing any more innocent people.
Aid workers, including Americans, taking medical supplies to hundreds of hurt Palestinians say Israel's navy blocked and fired on them.
Israel denies shooting the boat.
The Arab world, also coming to Gaza's rescue.
Jordan's King Abdullah gave blood. Saudi Arabia sent two plane-loads of supplies.
The United Nations puts the death toll at 360 including at least 62 civilians.
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said, "all this must stop. Both Israel and Hamas must halt their acts of violence and take all necessary measures to avoid civilian casualties."
The U.S. says Israel has a right to defend itself.
White House Spokesman Gordon Johndroe told reporter, "in order for the violence to stop Hamas must stop firing rockets into Israel, and agree to respect a sustainable and durable ceasefire."
Israel's campaign began Saturday after Hamas ended a six-month truce and stepped up attacks.
Former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, on the aid mission, has urged President-elect Barack Obama to denounce violence against Palestinians.
"There's a need for people in the United States to understand that every piece of rubble that is there on that strip of land is caused by U.S. weapons," said McKinney.
This morning, there's no sign of an end.
Israel's readying itself for "weeks" of conflict and Hamas urged its people to use "all available means," including suicide bombs, to stop them.
European foreign ministers meet today. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been on the phone with many of them trying to pull together a cease-fire.







