DW-World.de
Deutsche Welle

Israel is continuing to ignore mounting international calls for a cease-fire to its offensive against the Islamist militant group Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Heavy fighting is being reported to the east of Gaza City and Israeli jets have bombed the abandoned Hamas security complex in the city centre, leaving it ablaze. Israeli warplanes carried out more than 40 air strikes on Monday. Both Israeli defence minister, Ehud Barak and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni assert that the war will continue until Hamas capitulates. However, the head of Hamas in Gaza, Mahmud Zahar, stated in a televised address that "victory is coming" to his supporters.  Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports state that three Israeli soldiers have been killed and three severely wounded as a result of friendly fire from a tank. Palestinian sources say that over 550 people have been killed since the offensive began 11 days ago.