VOA标准英语2009年-Israeli Bombing Continues, Palestinian Death To

Israeli warplanes have been attacking the homes of Hamas leaders in Gaza, during the 17th day of Israel's assault. Palestinian medical officials say nearly 900 people have died in the attacks, which are showing no signs of letting up.
　

Palestinians run from the area during an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, 12 Jan 2009

The fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas raged on, as thousands of Israeli reservists entered the Gaza Strip.

Israeli ground troops battled militants¹ in house-to-house combat, edging closer to the center of Gaza City.

Israel's attacks on Gaza appeared to be less intense, with military officials saying they carried out fewer than 20 bombings - compared to as many as 40 per night during the past few days.

Israel's aim is to end Hamas' ability to fire rockets at Israeli civilians² as it has been doing for years. A spokesman for the Israeli prime minister's office, Mark Regev, says Israel is close to reaching its goals as troops close in on areas of Gaza.

"We are approaching a situation where our goals are being achieved and we think we are approaching the end game," he said.
　

Smoke rises from Israeli bombardment over Gaza City as seen from Israel's border with Gaza, 12 Jan 2009

But even as Israel attacks Gaza on the ground, from the air and from the sea, Hamas is showing no signs of backing down. Militants fired more rockets into southern Israel, including what officials say was a military-grade rocket on the Israeli city of Ashkelon.

Diplomatic efforts are intensifying³. Middle East envoy⁴ Tony Blair, representing the Middle East Quartet made up of the United States, United Nations, European Union, and Russia, met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Cairo. He said they discussed details for a ceasefire agreement.

"I think the elements of an agreement for the immediate⁵ ceasefire are there. I think they are now being worked on very hard in great detail," said Blair. "This is a sensitive and delicate time in that negotiation⁶, but I hope they will bear fruit and I hope so soon."

Israel is not allowing international journalists to enter Gaza. From inside, residents said conditions are worsening as thousands of traumatized people leave their homes in search of safety.

　

1 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。

2 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

3 intensifying   

v.（使）增强， （使）加剧( intensify的现在分词 )；增辉

参考例句：

• The allies are intensifying their air campaign. 联军部队正加大他们的空战强度。 来自辞典例句
• The rest of the European powers were in a state of intensifying congestion. 其余的欧洲强国则处于越来越拥挤的状态。 来自英汉非文学 - 历史

4 envoy   

n.使节，使者，代表，公使

参考例句：

• Their envoy showed no sign of responding to our proposals.他们的代表对我方的提议毫无回应的迹象。
• The government has not yet appointed an envoy to the area.政府尚未向这一地区派过外交官。

5 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

6 negotiation   

n.谈判，协商

参考例句：

• They closed the deal in sugar after a week of negotiation.经过一星期的谈判，他们的食糖生意成交了。
• The negotiation dragged on until July.谈判一直拖到7月份。