On the eighth day of Israel's Operation Cast Led against Hamas, the stakes have been raised. After a week of aerial bombardment, Israeli ground forces entered the Gaza Strip this evening, backed by artillery fire. The Palestinians have reported several killed and wounded, but have not stated whether these are civilians or Hamas fighters. Voice of Israel Radio reports that infantry and armoured forces are converging on Gaza City from three sides. The Israel Navy has imposed a blockade 30 kilometers from the Gaza Strip coast.
The fighting began after Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, decided not to renew the truce that had been in force for six months, and resumed heavy rocket fire on southern Israel.
Minister of Defense Ehud Barak said at a special news conference in Tel Aviv this evening, "In order to complete the mission, a ground operation is required. The goal is to stop hostile actions from Gaza and to bring about a fundamental change for the settlements in the south of Israel. The decision to go in was taken after deep consideration.
"We are aware that this action involves difficulties, challenges, and sacrifices. We feel that this is our duty to the citizens of the state. We are not warmongers, but we will not abandon our citizens.
"We know we may pay a heavy price. I thought it through, and reached a decision responsibly. I repeat, it will not be easy or short, and residents in the south have hard days ahead. We hope that the northern sector will remain calm, but we are ready for conflagration there too."
The order for the ground troops to move into the Gaza Strip was given at 19:00 this evening. The operation is under the command of OC Southern Command Yoav Galant. The government approved the operation secretly yesterday.
IDF Spokesman Brigadier-General Avi Benayahu said, "The objective of this phase of the operation is to intensify the heavy blow already dealt to Hamas and to take control of area from where most of the rocket attacks against Israel originate, in order to reduce those rocket attacks.
"Stage two of Operation Cast Lead has been launched to support our central goals which are to deal a heavy blow to the Hamas terror organization, to strengthen Israel's deterrence, and to create a better security situation for those living around the Gaza Strip that will be maintained for the long term."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes.co.il - on January 3, 2009
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