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GUEST: Khalil Barhoum, Senior Lecturer at Stanford University, Coordinator of the Department of African and Middle Eastern Languages and Literature

Israel continued its assault on Gaza today with airstrikes killing one man and wounding several people including civilians. Israel officially left the Gaza Strip last year evacuating settlers — but retains a military presence. It has been carrying out air and ground strikes in Gaza since June 28 of this year, three days after the abduction of Corporal Gilad Shalit in a cross-border raid. Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh remarked today, “I say to the leaders of the occupation, leaders of Israel, let the language of reason, wisdom and logic prevail… political negotiations, diplomacy and calm … are the way out of the current crisis.” Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas accused Israel of “targeting civilians on the one side and the infrastructure of the Palestinian Authority on the other.” Since June 28th, more than 50 Palestinians have been killed by Israel according to Gaza residents and medics. Israeli troops have also destroyed electricity and water supplies, as well as government buildings.