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CNN Live At Daybreak

Six Palestinians Killed in Clashes With Israeli Military

Aired December 14, 2001 - 06:18   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Palestinian territories in the Middle East are feeling fierce Israeli response to recent suicide bombing attacks. Six Palestinians were reportedly killed in clashes as Israeli military forces thundered into the West Bank in Gaza today. The ground operations follow a night of strikes from the air.

CNN's Matthew Chance shows us the aftermath in Gaza.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Returning to the night skies over Gaza, Israeli warplanes striking at Palestinian positions. Security installations of the Palestinian Authority were once again the target. Hospital workers say members of the Palestinian security forces and civilians were treated for their injuries. The attacks came as the people of Gaza took stock of the damage inflicted by earlier strikes in retaliation for militant Palestinian attacks on Israelis.

This destroyed naval building, part of Yasser Arafat's presidential compound in Gaza -- it was repeatedly struck by Israeli bombs. The accessories of statehood were also hit. These musical instruments belonged to Arafat's presidential guard of honor. They once played for President Clinton and other heads of state on their visits to Gaza.

I picked through the rubble with Salah Taha (ph), the pipe major of the band. His words were of defiance.

"The Israelis will never change our dreams," he told me. "Until they kill the last Palestinian child," he says, "we'll demand our independent state."

But through this retaliatory destruction, Israel is pressing demands for security of its own.

In the market at Palestine Square in Gaza, life appears to have changed little as a result of the Israeli attacks. The strikes may have been intended to send a clear message after 10 Israelis were killed in the West Bank, but in Gaza, the Israeli response has fueled resentment.

"The Israelis think that when one of their own dies, it's a big thing, but it's okay to strike at us," this market trader says. They say the Palestinians are the terrorists, but it's them who bring terror to us."

"We understood immediately what was happening," says this girl. "Mom and dad tried to calm us down, but we were very scared. I hope we have our revenge," she adds.

At the naval base in northern Gaza, there is no doubt the carefully targeted airstrikes were of unprecedented ferocity, but many here are asking how hopes of peace between Israelis and Palestinians can be recovered from this.

Matthew Chance, CNN, Gaza.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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