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War on Terror

Israel rolls on Gaza


By Stan Goodenough
January 04, 2009

Ending days of speculation, Israeli ground forces, including tanks and infantry, began moving into Gaza Saturday night, eight days after Israel launched its assault on the Hamas-infested Strip.

Shortly before the movement began, IDF artillery began shelling the length of the strip.

Green, night-vision images of soldiers moving in long lines as parachute flares lit the sky over Gaza were shown on television screens around the world. According to early reports, Hamas' fighters saw the incoming Israeli soldiers and some outbursts of small-arms fire were reported.

Other reports told of tanks firing as they entered Gaza.

IDF sources reported that troops from the Armored Corps, Engineering Corps and Infantry Corps entered Gaza aiming to destroy Hamas infrastructure and prevent rocket fire by taking control of launching pads "in order to greatly reduce the quantity of rockets fired at Israel and Israeli civilians."

Analysts suggested that Israel has only 48 hours to make an impact before the arrival in the region of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is expected to put pressure on the Israeli government to agree to a ceasefire with Hamas and get out of Gaza.

An IDF spokesman stressed that the ordinary residents of Gaza were not the target of the operation .

But she warned that anyone who hides a terrorist or weapons in his house is considered a terrorist; terrorists who used civilians as human shields would bear full responsibility for their fate.

Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal - enjoying sanctuary in Damascus - warned Israel by video Friday that "a black fate awaits you if you invade Gaza."

"We're sure of our victory, as we've prepared a better battle, and as Allah is on our side," he stated.

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