200 killed, 750 wounded in Israeli strikes against Gaza

Palestinians take part in a protest against Israeli air strikes on Gaza in the West Bank city of Hebron, Dec. 27, 2008.  (Xinhua Photo/Yin Bogu)

Meanwhile, the armed wing of Islamic Hamas movement, al-Qassam Brigades, threatened to respond to the Israeli attacks. Its militants fired back dozens of makeshift and grad rockets at southern Israeli towns and cities.

"We will violently retaliate, god willing, and will let the (Israeli) occupation know that it has thrown itself into fire by attacking Gaza," said Abu Obaida, a spokesman for Ezz el-Deen al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas.

Fawzi Barhoum, a spokesman for Hamas, called on al-Qassam Brigades to continue and intensify rocket fire into Israeli communities bordering Gaza, blaming "the silent and still Arab position on Gaza massacre."

Editor:Xiong Qu