No let-up in Gaza assault
2009-01-03 08:21
Gaza City - Israeli warplanes continued to pound Gaza on Saturday as the assault on Hamas entered its second week, with the Islamist group's leader warning of a "black destiny" if ground troops are sent in.
Hamas's Syrian-based chief Khaled Meshaal told Israel that "if you commit the stupidity of launching a ground offensive then a black destiny awaits you".
"You will soon find out that Gaza is the wrath of God," Meshaal said in pre-taped remarks as the death toll rose from bombing and concerns grew about the humanitarian situation in the Hamas-ruled Palestinian territory.
The United States gave Israel free rein on whether to invade the overcrowded enclave, insisting that the key to a ceasefire is Israel's demand for Hamas to permanently halt rocket fire.
Bush blames Hamas
President George W Bush, meanwhile, urged all able parties to press Hamas to stop firing on Israel to facilitate a lasting ceasefire.
He said Hamas was responsible for the latest violence and rejected a unilateral ceasefire that would allow Hamas to continue to fire on Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met with senior ministers as tanks and troops stood at the ready on the Gaza border.
On Saturday, an army spokesperson said air attacks on "Hamas infrastructure" were continuing into the predawn hours.
At the same time, the armed wing of Hamas said it had repelled a patrol of Israeli special forces attempting to cross the border into Gaza.
A spokesperson said the army was "not familiar with the incident", adding that no soldiers had crossed into Gaza since the beginning of the air campaign on December 27.
Since then, at least 435 people have been killed - including 66 children - and 2 150 wounded, according to Gaza medics.