The Israeli occupation forces have defied the Security Council's resolution on an immediate cease-fire and continued massacres in Gaza. Hamas announced that it is "unconvinced" of UN Resolution 1860. Yesterday was a "day of anger" in all Egyptian provinces against the Israeli massacres.
In Cairo, security forces cordoned off most of the major mosques and aborted public demonstrations against the Israeli massacre. Al-Azhar Mosque witnessed the only demonstration in Cairo against the Israeli aggression on Gaza, but it has been under tight security control. The demonstrators have called for lifting the siege on the Gaza Strip and opening Rafah crossing. For the second Friday congregational prayer in a row, Al-Fatah Mosque in Ramsis Sq has been cordoned off to prevent any demonstrations in solidarity with Gaza. Some 200,000 members of political parties and the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) Group staged some 90 demonstrations nationwide after Friday congregational prayer. The ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) secretariats held conferences nationwide in solidarity with Gaza. The conferences attacked Hamas, Iran and Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah and praised the role of President Mubarak. Political parties' committees in Alexandria and the national forces have decided to stage an open sit-in before the Israeli embassy in Cairo and the Israeli consulate in Alexandria till the Israeli ambassador will be expelled from Egypt. They also decided to send aid caravans to Gaza next week. In addition, some 50,000 people in Alexandria demonstrated in solidarity with Gaza.
In Arish, a policeman and two citizens have been injured during violent clashes between security forces and hundreds of demonstrators.
On the official level, Egypt has welcomed Security Council resolution No. 1860, which calls for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.
The Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has announced his refusal to the international legitimacy, stressing that the military operations will continue and that Israel can not cease-fire in the light of the continued launch of Palestinian rockets. "Israel will never accept that any outside influence would deny it its right in defending its citizens," he added.
For its part, Hamas has announced that it«was not interested in the UN Resolution, which was described by President Mahmoud Abbas, as an important step. The resolution does not impose any obligations on Hamas because it did not take part in the consultations, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said.
Israel has continued its aggression and bombarded the Gaza Strip by land, sea and air, killing 25 Palestinians, including seven women and six children. The death toll increased to some 800 victims and over 3350 injured. Violent clashes have continued between elements of the Palestinian resistance and the occupation forces eastern Gaza and in the vicinity of Beit Lahia. The Israeli Army announced yesterday that it hit 50 targets in the Gaza Strip. The bloodiest raid targeted the house of a leader in the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine in Beit Lahia. The raid killed the leader's wife, four children and his wife's sister. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay has called for independent and credible investigations on the Israeli violations that may be described as war crimes. In a speech before a special session of the UN Human Rights Council, Navi Pillay called for deploying UN human rights monitors in Israel, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank to document violations.
Hundreds of thousands have demonstrated worldwide to condemn the Israeli aggression on Gaza. A demonstration in Ramallah witnessed clashes between members of Fatah and Hamas. The clashes began after the Palestinian security forces stopped some demonstrators, who raised pro-Hamas slogans.
