Israeli Ground Forces Enter Gaza Strip / Israeli Troops Enter Gaza Strip

Israeli Ground Forces Enter Gaza Strip / Israeli Troops Enter Gaza Strip (NSI News Source Info) January 3, 2009: Israeli ground troops have entered the Gaza Strip, clashing with Hamas fighters as they crossed the border under the cover of darkness. Video: Israeli troops move into Gaza (ABC News) Click at ABC News for Video It is the first ground action of Israel's eight-day offensive on Gaza. Earlier, Israel continued its air and artillery attacks, which are estimated to have killed more than 400 Palestinians. Eye witnesses in Gaza say a column of Israeli tanks, some firing their weapons, rolled into the territory under the cover of darkness as combat helicopters fired from above. A Palestinian child was among the early fatal victims with 11 others wounded, Gaza medics said. Hamas replied to the Israeli ground offensive with mortar fire. The Israeli military confirmed the incursion had begun, saying a "large number" of troops had been sent into the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military says its aim is to take control of some of the areas used by Palestinian militants to fire rockets at Israel. Four Israelis have been killed by rocket fire from Gaza. "The objective is to destroy the Hamas terror infrastructure in the area of operations," military spokeswoman Major Avital Leibovitch said. "We are going to take some of the launch areas used by Hamas." In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office said the goals of the operation included "dealing a hard blow to the Hamas terror infrastructure and changing the security reality in the south over a long period of time". Tens of thousands of military reservists have been called up on a mission Israel says could last for many long days. "This won't be a school outing," Brigadier Avi Benayahu told Israeli television. "We are taking about many long days."

Witnesses said armoured vehicles crossed into northern Gaza at four separate points, supported by helicopters. Israel has begun a ground operation with troops entering Gaza after a week of air strikes at Hamas targets. Hamas has vowed to turn the Gaza Strip into a "cemetery" for the Israeli army. "Your incursion into Gaza will not be a walk in the park and Gaza will become your cemetery God willing," Hamas spokesman Ismail Radwan said, reading a statement on Hamas television. "You do not have any other choice but to unconditionally end the aggression and lift the blockade." Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas has "vigorously condemned" the Israeli ground offensive and called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting on the crisis. Air strikes Overnight, Israel continued air and artillery attacks on the territory. Witnesses said an air strike on a mosque in the town of Beit Lahiya took place as people prayed inside. At least 11 civilians, including children, were killed and 50 wounded, Hamas and medical officials said. Rescuers pulled people from the debris and the bodies of victims lay in pools of blood, the witnesses said. Israel has targeted mosques before, saying that Hamas had used them as command posts and fire bases. Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak told a news conference that Israel had restrained itself for a long time but now was the time to fight for peace. "I have said all along that our military activities will widen and deepen as much as needed," he said. "We are not war hungry. But we shall not, I repeat, we shall not allow a situation where our towns, villages and civilians are constantly targeted by Hamas. It will not be easy or short but we are determined." Protests Israel's Gaza offensive has sparked a wave of protests around the world. In Paris, more than 20,000 demonstrators, many wearing Arab keffiyeh headscarves, chanted slogans like "Israel murderer". In London, 10,000 protesters led by singer Annie Lennox carried Palestinian flags and placards with slogans such as "End the siege on Gaza" and "Stop the massacre". Meanwhile, the plight of the 1.5 million Palestinians crammed into Gaza is growing more desperate. Humanitarian agencies have warned that food, water and medical supplies are running short. "Nobody feels safe," an International Committee of the Red Cross worker said in a report on the body's website. "The problem is that we have nowhere to run for shelter." Israel has denied a humanitarian crisis is unfolding and says it has allowed food and medicine convoys into Gaza daily.