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Israeli Army Moves Into Gaza City

Soldiers exchange gunfire with Hamas fighters on capital's streets

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 5, 2009 6:08 AM CST
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(Newser) – The Israeli army moved into Gaza City for the first time this morning, fighting gun battles in the streets with Hamas militants. The Guardian reports that Israeli soldiers were making house-by-house sweeps for fighters associated with Hamas. This morning Ehud Barak, the defense minister, said that Israel would continue to fight until it had achieved "peace and tranquility" in the country's south, which is still enduring daily rocket and mortar attacks.

At least 12 civilians were killed this morning, according to Palestinian medical officials. Reports suggested that the heaviest fighting was taking place east of Gaza City, where three Palestinian children were killed by a tank shell. French president Nicolas Sarkozy will arrive in the region today and call for a ceasefire, but neither side seems likely to accept one; Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar urged his fighters to "crush your enemy" and suggested mounting attacks on Israeli targets overseas.

An Israeli infantry soldier is seen on the border before entering the Gaza Strip from Israel on a combat mission, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009.
An Israeli infantry soldier is seen on the border before entering the Gaza Strip from Israel on a combat mission, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009.   (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
Palestinians react outside Shifa hospital in Gaza City, after hearing the news that their loved one was killed during the Israeli army operation in Gaza, Sunday Jan. 4, 2009.
Palestinians react outside Shifa hospital in Gaza City, after hearing the news that their loved one was killed during the Israeli army operation in Gaza, Sunday Jan. 4, 2009.   (AP Photo/Ashraf Amra)
A wounded Palestinian man arrives for treatment at the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, after an Israeli strike early Monday, Jan. 5, 2009.
A wounded Palestinian man arrives for treatment at the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, after an Israeli strike early Monday, Jan. 5, 2009.   (AP Photo/AP Photo/Ashraf Amra)
Israeli soldiers peer out of their tank as they move towards the Gaza Strip from southern Israel early Monday, Jan. 5, 2009.
Israeli soldiers peer out of their tank as they move towards the Gaza Strip from southern Israel early Monday, Jan. 5, 2009.   (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)
An Israeli army mobile artillery piece fires towards targets in the southern Gaza Strip, at a position on the Israel side of the border with Gaza Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009.
An Israeli army mobile artillery piece fires towards targets in the southern Gaza Strip, at a position on the Israel side of the border with Gaza Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009.   (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner)
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Medics estimate 517 killed, more than 2,500 wounded
AFP

Fear and panic in the Strip
Scotsman (UK)

 
Israel • Gaza • Hamas • Nicolas Sarkozy • civilian casualties • Ehud Barak • Mahmoud Zahar • Israel and Palestinians • Gaza City

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