Arab League condemns Gaza 'massacre'

CAIRO - Agence France-Presse

Palestinian tries to extinguish a fire after an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Saturday, March 10, 2012. AP Photo

The Arab League yesterday condemned Israeli air strikes on Gaza that killed 15 Palestinians calling it a "massacre" and urging an international tough stance against the Jewish state.
 
Arab foreign ministers meeting in Cairo slammed Israel's "dangerous escalation on the blockaded Gaza Strip which led to 15 deaths, left dozens injured and destroyed property and houses." The 22-member Arab body called on the international community to "take a firm stance to dissuade Israel from its continued massacres and violations of the rights of the Palestinian people." It also said "Israel bears the responsibilty, as an occupying force, to end the illegitimate blockade on Gaza and to protect the Palestinian people." Medics said Saturday that Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip killed 15 Palestinians including a militant group chief.
 
The raids came as Palestinian militants fired more than 90 rockets and mortar rounds into southern Israel since Friday morning, the Israeli army said.
 
It was the deadliest 24-hour period on the Gaza-Israel border since a devastating Israeli assault in December 2008-January 2009 aimed at halting Palestinian rocket attacks.