Region | Palestinian Territories
Violence spirals as Israeli tanks rumble into Gaza
Israeli tanks forged into the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, drawing mortar fire from Palestinian fighters and intensifying violence that has chipped away at a tenuous ceasefire.
- AP
- Published: 23:40 November 18, 2008
- A Palestinian woman with a small child waits to receive food at the UN Relief and Works Agency warehouse in Rafah refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip, on Tuesday.
- Image Credit: AP
Gaza Strip: Israeli tanks forged into the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday, drawing mortar fire from Palestinian fighters and intensifying violence that has chipped away at a tenuous ceasefire.
Israel and Hamas have been trading fire for two weeks after nearly five months of relative quiet.
The June 19 truce is due to expire next month, and both sides might be trying to dictate more favourable terms in anticipation of the agreement's renewal.
The tanks, backed by a bulldozer and military jeep, rumbled about half a kilometre deep into the tiny seaside strip, residents and Gaza security officials said. Residents said they levelled lands along the border east of the city of Rafah. It was the first ground action in a week.
The tanks did not respond to the Palestinian fire. The Israeli military described the activity as 'a routine operation to uncover explosive devices near the border fence in the southern Gaza Strip.' It said two mortars were fired at troops, causing no injuries or damage.
Militant groups said they fired both mortars and rockets. At least 17 fighters have been killed since the truce began unravelling, and by the military's count, fighters have fired more than 140 rockets and mortars at Israel.
In an effort to squelch the rocket fire, Israel has kept cargo crossings into Gaza clamped shut for the most part, drastically restricting vital supplies. Both Israel and leaders of Gaza's ruling militant Hamas movement have said they hoped the Egyptian-brokered truce could be preserved. But a small, Hamas-allied group said they consider the truce to have broken down, and Israel has threatened to hit hard if the rocket fire persists.
Subverting truce
On Tuesday, a spokesman for the Hamas-run Interior Ministry accused Israel of subverting the truce.
"We call on the Palestinian factions to meet to begin an immediate re-evaluation of the calm," spokesman Ehab Al Hussain said. Before the truce was reached, fighters barraged Israel with near-daily rocket attacks, provoking sometimes harsh military retaliation that killed hundreds of Palestinians.
Share this article
Related Articles
-
Israeli tanks roll into Gaza
Israeli tanks roll into Gaza
-
Israel reimposes blockade on Gaza
Israel reimposes blockade on Gaza, citing continued rocket fire
-
Israel to free 250 Palestinian prisoners
Israel to free 250 Palestinian prisoners
-
Israel opens Gaza border crossing
Israel re-opens Gaza border crossing, allowing some UN aid
-
Gaza truce unravels amid aid blockade
Gaza truce unravels amid aid blockade
-
Israeli airstrike kills 4 Palestinians
Israeli airstrike kills 4 Palestinians
-
Israeli court orders settlers out of Hebron house
Israeli court orders settlers out of Hebron house
-
EU urged to restrict settlement goods
EU urged to restrict imports of Israeli-Westbank settlement goods
More from Palestinian Territories
More from Region
Popular in News
News Editor's choice
-
Anti-terror force enlisted for Haj
Saudi Arabia's special anti-terror force has for the first time joined security forces deployed for Haj duties with the pilgrimage beginning on Wednesday
-
English to stay as medium of instruction
Lack of funding of scientific research in Arab world criticised
-
Global Village opens with a revamped layout
Four gates will have themes making it easier to find specific pavilions
