Israel bombed 40 more targets in the Gaza Strip Monday, and Palestinians launched at least 20 rockets across the border despite a call by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for a truce, dpa reported. The death toll rose to 172 on the seventh day of the Israeli offensive, with more than 1,200 wounded, Gaza Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qedra said. The majority of casualties have been civilians, including children and women. Ban expressed concern despite a clear Security Council demand for a ceasefire, the situation in and around the Gaza Strip appeared to be worsening. "He strongly believes that it is in the interest of both sides that steps toward dangerous escalation be replaced with immediate measures to end the fighting," a statement from his office said. "He demands both sides move in this direction now." At least 17,000 Gazans have fled their homes in northern Gaza to schools of the UN agency that care for Palestinian refugees.
