GAZA CITY (GAZA STRIP)-Thousands of Israeli troops backed by columns of tanks and helicopter gunships launched a ground offensive in Gaza on Saturday night, with officials saying they expected a lengthy fight in the densely populated territory after eight days of punishing airstrikes failed to halt militant rocket attacks on Israel.
Israel entered the second week of its offensive against rockets from Hamas-ruled Gaza on Saturday evening by launching a much-expected ground operation into the coastal strip.The General Staff believes that more pressure must be put on Hamas to make it agree to a long-term cease-fire under conditions more favorable to Israel.
11 IDF soldiers were wounded Saturday night by a mortar shell fired by Palestinian gunmen as troops swept into the northern Gaza Strip, encountering fierce resistance from Hamas forces entrenched in fortifications just over the border.
Two of the soldiers were seriously hurt, two were moderately wounded and the others were listed in light condition. The soldiers who were in serious condition were taken to Shiba Hospital in Tel Hashomer for treatment, while the rest of the wounded were evacuated to Soroka Hospital in Beersheba.
At least 30 Hamas gunmen were reported killed by the IDF.
IDF sources said that the goal was to conquer territory in northern Gaza, including rocket launch sites. Soldiers from the Armored Corps, Engineering Corps, and Paratroopers, Givati, Golani brigades were participating in the fighting, with at least four brigades' worth of troops inside the Gaza Strip
The sources said that a majority of the rockets fired into Beersheba and Ashdod were launched from the northern Gaza Strip.
One of the major aims of the operation was also to deliver a serious blow to the Hamas military wing, which the IDF estimated had not been severely weakened under the air campaign.
"We know there will be dangers, difficulties and victims... It must be said that the ground operation entails dangers to the lives of soldiers," Defense Minister Ehud Barak said at the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv. "We must end the hostile actions against Israel... We will not abandon our citizens."
Source:AP and Jerusalem Post