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Early morning Israeli air raids in the Gaza Strip on Friday struck multiple sites and wounded three Palestinian children. Four of the thirteen total strikes took place in Khan Younis where two Israeli soldiers were killed in clashes last week after tanks intruded onto Gazan land. A Palestinian teenager was then shot and killed four days after by Israeli troops who fired on protestors gathered near the border of the besieged territory. The following day, a single rocket fired from Gaza that landed in the Israeli city of Ashkelon caused damages but no casualties. Israel has claimed that the air raid was in retaliation to repeated rocket and mortar attacks over the past month including one that killed a farm worker. The week of violence renewed tensions and sparked fears that another assault on Gaza may be taking shape like the 22-day war waged in late December 2008 into January 2009. Meanwhile, as air raids have struck in Gaza, the Israeli blockade continues. During a visit to the territory late last month, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon deplored Israel’s actions saying they have caused “unacceptable sufferings.” During the recent Arab League Summit held in Libya last week, the regional organization faced criticisms that it has, so far, taken ineffective positions against the siege of Gaza. Meanwhile, US Congressman Keith Ellison is on a tour of the Middle East and visited Gaza on Saturday. After touring the area he promised to educate his fellow congressmen on the dire situation in the area.

GUESTS: Jamal El Khoudary, Chairman of the Popular Committee Against the Siege, independent member of the Palestinian parliament, David Hosey, National Media Coordinator of the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation

For more information, visit www.aidtoisrael.org and www.endtheoccupation.org.