Awaz Apni

Awaz Apni Cartoon World:

LONDON: International cease-fire efforts and the worldwide protests were gaining momentum as Israel's offensive against Gaza's Islamic militant rulers entered a second week Saturday.French President Nicolas Sarkozy is visiting the region next week to try to end the violence, and President George W. Bush and U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon both spoke in favor of an internationally monitored truce.But Hamas, in its first reaction to the proposal on Saturday, reacted coolly to the idea of international monitors.Israel launched the offensive on Dec. 27 in response to intensifying rocket fire by Hamas militants in Gaza. The operation has killed more than 430 Palestinians so far, including dozens of civilians, according to Palestinian and U.N. counts. Four Israelis have also been killed, and rocket attacks on southern Israel persist.The Israeli offensive has sparked large protests around the world over the past few days.Tens of thousands rallied Saturday in about a dozen European countries ag...