Hamas warns Israel, as onslaught continues; 500 killed
Hamas warns Israel, as onslaught continues; 500 killed
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innocent victim: Palestinian medics carry a child injured during Israeli shelling in the northern Gaza Strip, yesterday. pic/ap |
Israeli ground troops and tanks cut swaths through the Gaza Strip yesterday, cutting the coastal territory into two as the new phase of a devastating offensive against Hamas militants gained momentum.
The military used overwhelming firepower from tanks, artillery and aircraft to protect the advancing soldiers, and Gaza officials said at least 31 civilians were killed in the onslaught.u00a0
The invasion in Gaza drew international condemnations and dominated news coverage on Arab satellite TV stations, many of which aired footage of wounded Palestinians at hospitals. Hamas threatened to turn Gaza into an Israeli graveyard.
"You entered like rats," Hamas spokesman Ismail Radwan told Israeli soldiers in a television statement. "Gaza will be a graveyard for you, God willing," he said.
The new deaths brought the death toll in the Gaza Strip to more than 500 since December 27. UN officials say at least 100 civilians are among the dead.
Schwarzenegger: Every nation has the right to defend itself
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger expressed support for the ground operation in Gaza. After meeting with the Israeli consul general in Los Angeles, Yaakov Dayan, Schwarzenegger declared that "every nation
has the right to defend itself against terrorism and cold-blooded attacks on its people. Israel is no different and is right to defend itself against the unceasing violence."
