Israel, Hamas and the Egyptian Truce Proposal

Three UN-run schools are hit, 70 Palestinians are killed. According to the Israeli army, Hamas militants used the schools to fire on its soldiers.

JERUSALEM (AsiaNews) - Israel and Hamas are considering a ceasefire proposal made by Egypt to the United Nations Security Council that is backed by the United States and Europe. In the meantime the humanitarian crisis in Gaza Strip is worsening.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced this morning that Israel will open a humanitarian corridor into the territory. Hours later his government approved a three-hour truce to allow Gazans to get food, aid and medical treatment for the wounded.

Also this morning the Israeli cabinet met at 9 am (local time) to discuss the future of military operations. There are signs that Israeli forces are pulling back from Khan Younes, in the southern part of the Strip.

Israeli artillery shelled three schools run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) used as shelters for entire families. The bloodiest attack, which took place near Jabalyia, left 43 people dead according to Palestinian sources. In a press release the United Nations said that 30 people were killed and 55 wounded. Five other people died in the shelling of two schools in Khan Younes whilst an entire family (at least 12 members, including seven children) was wiped out during shelling.

The Israeli army claims that, at least for the deaths in Jabalyia, it has evidence showing that mortar attacks were launched from the school.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack against the schools, insisting on an end to the violence by both sides.

A ceasefire seems very unlikely however because of the warring factions' demands. Israel wants an end to rocket attacks and to the smuggling of weapons and militants from Egypt. Hamas wants an end to the blockade and to the air raids.

The Egyptian proposal calls for the deployment of an international force to supervise the ceasefire and smuggling from Egypt, whilst allowing some corridors to and from the territory. It is backed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

More than 600 Palestinians are now believed to have been killed since Israel began its offensive 12 days ago. Palestinian officials say at least 195 children are among those killed.

So far there have been ten Israeli casualties, six military and four civilians.