Massive Gaza Blast: 'More than 100' killed in Israeli strikes

	Massive Gaza Blast: 'More than 100' killed in Israeli strikes More than 100 people have died in the Gaza Strip in six days of violence, Hamas officials say, as Israeli forces continue air strikes they say aim to stop rocket attacks into Israel. Monday's fatalities include a commander of the Islamic Jihad militant group. More than 100 rockets were fired on Israel by militants on Monday. Three Israelis have died since Wednesday. Efforts to secure a ceasefire continue, with a senior Egyptian official saying there are "encouraging signs". Khaled Meshaal, the political leader of the Islamist movement Hamas which controls Gaza, said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had requested a ceasefire but that it was up to Israel to stop the war that, he said, it had started. Uzi Landau, Israeli cabinet minister: Country forced to the point of war by "continued bombardment" from Gaza Israel immediately denied making any such request. "Hamas's comments about a ceasefire, alleging that Israel is begging for one, are about as accurate as its claims to have shot down an F-15 [warplane] or attacked the Knesset," Reuters news agency quoted a senior government official as saying. Mr Meshaal said that a truce was possible in Gaza - as was further escalation of the conflict. Morale in Gaza was high and anyone who attacked the Palestinians would be "buried", he added. Israel has presented conditions for a ceasefire, which include no hostile fire of any kind from Gaza and international efforts to prevent Hamas from rearming.	From: ENCYCLOPEDlA Views: 0 0 ratings
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