Troops and tanks cross into the Hamas-ruled territory, widening the
week-old assault aimed at halting rocket fire into Israel.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-gaza4-2009jan04,0,3833469.story
Reporting from Jerusalem -- Israeli troops and tanks crossed into
the Hamas-ruled Gaza
Strip this evening, widening a week-old assault aimed at halting
the militant Palestinian group's rocket fire into Israel.
A column of tanks, some firing their weapons, rolled into the
northern part of the coastal enclave as Israeli combat helicopters
flew overhead, according to Palestinian residents. Israeli
television channels broadcast images of troops marching into the
territory.
The ground offensive, launched after a week of punishing
airstrikes, is designed to take control of Hamas' rocket-launching
areas, the military announced. It said tank, artillery, special
operations and intelligence units were taking part.
As Israeli warplanes pounded Hamas positions today, a missile
struck a mosque in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya during
late-afternoon prayers, killing 13 people inside, Palestinian
medical workers reported. Two of the dead were children, they
said.
The ground offensive began after dark, following a round of
Israeli artillery fire that created a blanket of dust and smoke
that obscured the troops' advance.
Israel launched the airstrikes Dec. 27 after Hamas called off a
much-violated truce accord that lasted six months. The operation
has killed more than 440 Palestinians, including dozens of
civilians, according to Palestinian and United Nations counts, but
has not stopped the rocket fire from Palestinian militants. Four
Israelis have been killed.
Thousands of Israeli troops had been massing along the border for
days, and Israeli officials said preparations for the ground
offensive were completed Friday.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office said today that the
government had ordered the call-up of tens of thousands of
military reservists.
boudreaux@latimes.com