Israeli army moves on Gaza City
2009-01-05 07:19
Mai Yaghi
Gaza City - Tens of thousands of Israeli troops battled Hamas fighters in Gaza early on Monday amid tank, artillery and air strikes, as the death toll from the offensive to end rocket attacks passed 510.
Israeli forces moved into the fringes of Gaza City as families fled or hid on the second night of combat.
The Israeli government fought off intense international pressure over its biggest military operation since its 2006 war in Lebanon, with French President Nicolas Sarkozy due in the region, as well as Russian and EU delegations.
At least 70 Palestinians have been killed since the ground offensive began on Saturday night, Gaza medics said.
Israel said one soldier was killed by a mortar shell and another 19 were wounded, bringing the total to 49 since the beginning of the incursion.
Tanks cut off Gaza City
Columns of troops and tanks surrounded Gaza City and fighting was reported in outer districts.
Witnesses said tanks had cut off Gaza City and the far north from the rest of the strip, which would prevent the entry of arms, supplies and fighters from the south.
An AFP photographer said warplanes were also bombing targets in the southern border town of Rafah, where hundreds of tunnels are used to smuggle in supplies from Egypt.
The army declined to confirm or deny the reports.
Fierce clashes were also reported around the northern towns of Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanun and Jabaliya.
Aid groups said the offensive had aggravated a humanitarian crisis for the population, who have no electricity, no water and now face dire food shortages.
Hospitals were only running on backup generators.
International efforts to halt the conflict sought new impetus after the UN Security Council failed to agree a statement on the conflict, with the United States giving strong backing to Israel.
'Respectable' way out?
Israel unleashed "Operation Cast Lead" on December 27 with the declared aim of ending rocket attacks on Israel that resumed after a six-month truce ended on December 19.
Israel believes Hamas may be seeking "a respectable" way out of the conflict having underestimated the scope of the military offensive, Social Affairs Minister Isaac Herzog said.
He told CNN television Hamas was under "huge pressure" from the military operation.
"The intelligence reports that we've received in the Israeli Cabinet are that the Hamas is looking for a respectable way of finding a way to get out of this situation," he said.
Al-Jazeera television said a Hamas delegation would go to Cairo on Monday at Egypt's invitation, but Hamas officials could not be reached for confirmation.
The Israeli offensive has sparked spiralling anger in the Muslim world and protests across the globe.
- SAPA