14 Jan 2009

Israeli attacks on Gaza exceed 100 in past day

5:15 pm on 14 January 2009

Israel is continuing its military drive into Gaza, concentrating more than 100 attacks on targets in Gaza City in the past 24 hours.

More Palestinians have fled their homes in the face of the onslaught, and the United Nations Works and Relief Agency in Gaza says the situation is desperate.

So rapidly growing is the death toll from the attacks that people in Gaza are struggling to find places to bury their dead.

Nearly 1,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive and there is no space left in the graveyards in Gaza City.

It is reported to be too dangerous to reach the only cemetery containing space for more graves.

Cemeteries throughout Gaza City that were closed for burial have now reopened.

News agency Associated Press says one family reportedly buried their slain son with his grandfather.

Another man was buried with his cousin. The bodies of three little boys have been buried in the grave of an aunt.

Gravedigger Salman Omar says: "Gaza is all a graveyard."