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Egypt claims raids to end; death toll in Gaza 121

Fresh exchange of fire between Israel and Hamas continuedunabated amid intensified international diplomatic efforts, with Egypt sayingthat Israeli "aggression" would end today, as a week of incessantraids claimed at least 121 Palestinian lives.

A loud boom was heard in Jerusalem with the Israeli policeand army saying a rocket had crashed into an open area near Gush Etzion. Nocasualties were reported.

An Israeli air strike on Gaza City today killed at leastfive people and took the death toll of Palestinians to 121.

Eleven Hamas rockets came flying into the Israeli city ofBeer Sheva, causing casualties. More than 30 rockets were fired into the areatoday, but most were destroyed by Iron Dome interceptors.

Israel's air force dropped leaflets across Gaza City thatasked people to evacuate their homes "immediately".

The Israeli military, meanwhile, reported that a strike"targeted two terrorists in the northern Gaza Strip," and a"direct hit was confirmed."

"Zionist enemy would pay high price for his crimes inGaza," Hamas' military wing the al Qassam Brigades quoted one of itsleaders as saying.

Egyptian President Muhammed Mursi said Israel's"aggression" against Gaza would end today and Egypt's mediationefforts would produce "positive results" shortly, the official Menanews agency reported.

A top delegation of Arab ministers led by Arab League chiefNabil al-Arabi began a solidarity mission in Gaza today looking to bring an endto the hostilities.

Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama today dispatched hisSecretary of State Hillary Clinton to the Middle East on a fire fightingmission to defuse tension and prevent any further escalation of conflict in theregion.

"Clinton will depart today and she'll travel toJerusalem, Ramallah, and Cairo, leaving from Phonm Penh," Ben Rhodes,Deputy National Security Adviser for Strategic Communication, said

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A tall order

Sri Lanka toddy tappers face extinction, as any newcomers are put off by low wages, hard work and the high risk

AFP
Published Nov 17, 2012, 11:35 AM IST
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A tall order

Clambering between high trees carrying a knife in the searchfor sap to brew alcoholic drinks is a young man's game -- and Sri Lanka'sageing toddy tappers say the craft is dying. In a typical day, a skilled tappercollects the milky white sap from 75 to 100 palms that are linked by a networkof ropes that he walks along, just one slip away from falling onto the hardground far below. Gamini Gunatillake, 38, first scampered up the 60-foot treeswhen he was just 14-years-old and is…

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