"Israel" destroys over 20 houses in Gaza

‘Israel's' perpetual aerial bombardment of the Gaza Strip has reduced more than 20 houses to rubble in the southern town of Rafah.

Eye witnesses reported on Wednesday that more than a score of houses in Rafah - bordering Egypt - have been completely destroyed as Tel Aviv continued its airstrikes on the densely-populated costal strip for a 12th consecutive day.

'Israel' waged war on the Gaza Strip on December 27and began what it claims to be a "long-term" ground offensive on the Palestinian territory last Saturday.

Thus far, the ‘Israeli' aggression has killed 666 Palestinians and injured thousands of others -- a large number of casualties are civilians.

EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferraro-Waldner warned Tuesday that ‘Israel' would "destroy" its international image if it does not halt its incursion into the coastal strip immediately.

"We have met with the heads of international humanitarian organizations and delegations, and we were told that there is a serious problem in Gaza of distributing the delegations' shipments," EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferraro-Waldner said on Tuesday.

'Israeli' President Shimon Peres, however, brushed aside the EU warning and asserted that Tel Aviv has no qualms about its world standing.

"Europe must open its eyes. We are not in the business of public relations or improving our image. We are fighting against terror, and we have every right to defend our citizens," Peres said.

Although Tel Aviv has stepped up efforts to downplay the humanitarian situation in the blockaded region, a large number of UN officials and aid workers have warned that the Palestinian territory is spiraling into a critical state.

"I think it's a monstrosity; there's no other way to name it," said UN General Assembly chief Miguel d'Escoto on Saturday, shortly after Washington blocked a UN Security Council resolution against ‘Israel' for a third time. The statement would have called on ‘Israel' to end its ground incursion into the region.

The two previous UN draft resolutions seeking an end to the violence in the region have also been blocked by Washington. The United States has so far vetoed over 40 anti-‘Israel' resolutions at the UN.