In other news, Israel continues its almost daily airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. Earlier today, seven Palestinians, including at least two unarmed civilians, were killed in strikes on southern Gaza. The dead include a ten-year old boy. Another twenty-five Palestinians were wounded. The United Nations has launched an appeal asking the international community not to forget the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In a statement signed by 30 aid agencies, the UN says the situation in Gaza is at least as serious as in southern Lebanon. More than 140 Palestinians have been killed since the capture of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in June. The agencies say Israel has slowed the delivery of aid supplies to a trickle. According to the UN, Israel is firing an average of around 150 shells into Gaza each day. Palestinian militants have fired an average ten rockets into Israel.