Government shelling in Syria kills nearly 100

Government airstrikes and shelling in the Syrian rebel-held Eastern Ghouta area outside Damascus killed at least 98 people Monday in the region’s deadliest day in three years, according to a monitoring group and health responders. The Syrian Civil Defense confirmed the deaths and said the casualties could be higher since more people remain beneath debris. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said more than 720 people sustained injuries, some critical. The casualties include 20 children and 14 women. Eastern Ghouta is the final major rebel-held stronghold near Syria’s capital, Damascus. Observers said pro-government forces are heightening their offensive in the region. The United Nations renewed calls for an immediate cease-fire as the humanitarian situation “is spiraling out of control.”