Gaza Strip pounded by Israel forces

Nov 15 2012

Israeli aircraft, tanks and naval gunboats have pounded the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip and rocket salvoes thudded into southern Israel, as terrified residents on both sides of the frontier holed up at home in anticipation of heavy fighting on the second day of Israel's offensive against Islamic militants.

The operation, launched in response to days of rocket fire from the Palestinian territory, kicked off with the assassination of Hamas' top military commander and deepened the instability gripping the Middle East.

Israel's already strained relations with Egypt's new Islamist government frayed even further as Egypt recalled its ambassador in response to the Israeli military operation.

Just days earlier, Israel was drawn into Syria's civil war for the first time, firing missiles into its northern neighbour for the first time in four decades after stray mortar fire landed in Israeli-occupied Syrian territory. Waves of air-strikes on more than 100 militant targets quickly followed the assassination of Hamas mastermind Ahmed Jabari.

The air attacks continued steadily into the early hours, targeting the armed group's training facilities and rocket launchers in Israel's most intense attack on the territory since its full-scale war there four years ago. Ten Palestinians, including two young children and seven militants, were killed on the operation's first day, and more than 93 were wounded.

Earlier, Israel targeted a motorcycle carrying a rocket squad, killing one militant and wounding two, a Palestinian health official said. The Israeli military had no immediate confirmation of this report.

Tank shells and naval gunfire backed up the air onslaught. Few in the territory's largest urban area, Gaza City, heeded the call for dawn prayers. Schools have been ordered closed until the operation ends, and most of the territory's 1.6 million people were expected to hunker down close to home, venturing out only to buy food, fuel and other basic supplies.

Hamas announced a state of emergency in Gaza, evacuating all its security buildings and deploying its troops away from their locations.

Israel said the air-strikes were the beginning of a broader operation against the Islamic militants. They also said a ground operation was a strong possibility in the coming days if Hamas did not take steps to rein in the rocket fire.

In a nationwide address, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel could no longer stand repeated attacks on its southern towns. "If there is a need, the military is prepared to expand the operation. We will continue to do everything to protect our citizens," Mr Netanyahu declared.