For the first time since the start of Operation Cast Lead, IDF ground troops entered the Gaza Strip on Saturday evening, exchanging fire with Hamas gunmen.
Dozens of Hamas fighters were killed by IDF infantrymen. The army issued no official statement confirming the report.
Channel 2 reported that the Navy was imposing a blockade on the water near Gaza to prevent Hamas from receiving assistance through Gaza's coastline.
The IDF said that a large amount of troops from the Armored Corps, Engineering Corps and Infantry Corps entered the territory with the purpose of destroying Hamas infrastructure and preventing rocket fire by taking control of launching pads "in order to greatly reduce the quantity of rockets fired at Israel and Israeli civilians."
The IDF warned that terrorists using civilians as human shields would bear full responsibility for their fate. The IDF spokesperson emphasized that "anyone who hides a terrorist or weapons in his house is considered a terrorist," adding that "the residents of Gaza are not the target of the operation."
The army reiterated that the operation was in line with "decisions of the Security Cabinet," saying that this stage of the operation was "part of the IDF's overall operational plan, and will continue on the basis of ongoing situational assessments by the IDF General Staff."
The cabinet also approved the call-up of thousands of reservists, mostly from combat units, but also from the Home Front Command.
Army spokeswoman Maj. Avital Leibovich said it would be an extensive operation. "We have many, many targets," she said, adding that Hamas has been digging smuggling tunnels and other facilities. "To my estimation, it will be a lengthy operation," she said.
Several hours before the ground operation commenced, the army began to fire artillery shells into the northern part of the Strip.
According to reports, the artillery units were attacking targets in northern Gaza from where Palestinian terrorists had been firing rockets at southern Israel.
Warplanes, gunboats and artillery units blasted more than 40 Hamas targets throughout Saturday, including Hamas's central intelligence headquarters in Sha'ati, weapons storage facilities, training centers and Hamas leaders' homes.
Air strikes that had waned during the day gathered pace after dark. One raid hit a mosque in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya, killing 14 people and wounding 33, seven critically, according to a Palestinian health official.
Other Palestinian reports claimed that the mosque was hit by an artillery shell.
The IAF also hit the home of senior Hamas commander Abu Zacharia Al-Jamal. A Hamas spokesman announced that al-Jamal was killed in the attack, which would make him the third senior operative in the group to be targeted in the past three days.
In addition, Palestinians reported four dead in an IAF strike in the Rafah area.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni told Channel 2 Saturday night, "We will do all that is necessary to provide a different reality for southern Israel, which has been under constant attacks for the past eight years."
In Saturday morning attacks, the army struck the homes of two Hamas operatives, saying the buildings were used to store weapons and plan attacks. Hamas outposts, training camps and rocket launching sites also were targeted, it said.
The army also struck the American International School, the most prestigious educational institution in Gaza. The school is not connected to the US government, but teaches an American curriculum in English.
The airstrike demolished the school's main building and killed a night watchman. Two other Palestinians were killed in a separate airstrike, while three others died of wounds sustained earlier, Gaza health officials said.
Earlier, the army dropped leaflets in downtown Gaza City ordering people off the streets. The warnings were followed by the air strikes.
Hamas also declared on Saturday that its members had foiled an attempt by IDF special forces to infiltrate the Gaza Strip, Israel Radio reported.
According to the report, a number of IDF soldiers were spotted in the outskirts of Gaza's Shajaiyeh neighborhood close to the border with Israel. Hamas claimed that the soldiers retreated after they were targeted by six mortar shells.
The IDF denied the report, telling Army Radio that "this incident never happened."
Earlier on Friday night, a Hamas television station said that the IAF on bombed an airport in the Gaza Strip. One person was reported dead in the attack, and five wounded.
Posts: 2965 | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
It's time that this terrorist group Hamas is crushed.
-------------------- It isn't so much that liberals are ignorant. It's just that they know so many things that aren't so. Posts: 6949 | Registered: Apr 2004
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I'm not saying Israel is in the wrong to try and stop the rocket attacks.
Bullets alone though will only create death and further resentment.
-------------------- No longer eligible for government service due to lack of tax issues. Posts: 5178 | From: Up North | Registered: Dec 2005
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Seems diplomacy has done the same... I say take the gloves off both sides and let 'em at it... At this point that is the only thing that hasn't been tried...
Posts: 2965 | Registered: Aug 2005
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posted
Which is another way of saying it's time to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza.
Just as Imanutjob says it's time to remove Israel from the map.
Politically both these solutions are unacceptable.
-------------------- No longer eligible for government service due to lack of tax issues. Posts: 5178 | From: Up North | Registered: Dec 2005
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posted
I can't imagine caring less about who wins at this point... Sooner or later surrounding nations will come to the Palestinians aid and a few will come to Israel's... It is inevitable no matter how long we prolong it with all this bs diplomacy. So what the hell... let em at it now... let's get this over with already.
Posts: 2965 | Registered: Aug 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Relentless.: I can't imagine caring less about who wins at this point... Sooner or later surrounding nations will come to the Palestinians aid and a few will come to Israel's... It is inevitable no matter how long we prolong it with all this bs diplomacy. So what the hell... let em at it now... let's get this over with already.
i noticed gasoline went up here today, actually this afternoon... 1.41$ to 1.57$ on a weekend?
when did Hamas start firing rockets again? two weeks ago? less?
-------------------- Don't envy the happiness of those who live in a fool's paradise. Posts: 36378 | From: USA | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
Yeah about the same time the OPEC production cut didn't produce the oil price hike they hoped for.
Posts: 2965 | Registered: Aug 2005
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-------------------- It isn't so much that liberals are ignorant. It's just that they know so many things that aren't so. Posts: 6949 | Registered: Apr 2004
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But anyways in the malls where we have our stores there are kiosks that have girls from Israel... and you can tell they were in the military because they do not have feminine walks... they walk like guys even the pretty ones...
-------------------- Let the world change you... And you can change the world.
Ernesto "Che" Guevara de la Serna Posts: 4669 | Registered: Mar 2004
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-------------------- It isn't so much that liberals are ignorant. It's just that they know so many things that aren't so. Posts: 6949 | Registered: Apr 2004
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