Israel Edges Closer to War; Hamas Fires 160 Rockets, 20 Killed in IDF's Gaza Raids By At least 44 killed in Israel Stampede The Israel-Palestine conflict escalated on Monday as 20 Palestinians reportedly died in Israeli air raids after Hamas fired as many as 160 rockets into various parts of Israel. The Palestinian health ministry said at least 65 others were wounded in air raids on the besieged Gaza Strip. The dead included 9 children, the Palestinian authorities said. The Israeli retaliation unfolded after Hamas sent a deluge of rockets towards Jerusalem and southern Israel even as thousands of Israelis paraded to celebrate Jerusalem Day. Hamas Fighters