Israel Vows Escalation of Gaza War After Child Killed in Shelling

Israeli Child Died in Mortar Attack

Israeli officials are inconsolable and vowing dramatic escalation of the Gaza war today following the death of four-year-old Daniel Tregerman in mortar fire from the strip.

“We are intensifying our attacks, preparing for possible ground action,” noted Brig. Gen. Motti Almoz. Israel ended its previous invasion of Gaza just over a week ago, but with peace talks faltering seems to be looking for a way back in.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the attacks to intensify, and said that Hamas would “pay a heavy price” for the death of the child, which brings the overall Israeli toll to 68, 4 of them civilians, and Tregerman the first child.

On the Gaza side, Israel’s attacks today brought the death toll in excess of 2,100, with the vast majority of them civilians and roughly 500 of them children under the age of 18.

Israel appeared to be moving toward a new ground invasion before the latest death, calling up 10,000 more reservists yesterday to keep large numbers of troops along the Gaza border in anticipation of a new ground operation.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.