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| Israeli troops 'move into Gaza' | Israeli troops 'move into Gaza' |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Israeli ground troops have started to enter the Gaza Strip, Israeli military officials have confirmed, a week after the offensive against Hamas began. | Israeli ground troops have started to enter the Gaza Strip, Israeli military officials have confirmed, a week after the offensive against Hamas began. |
| An Israeli military spokeswoman said the intention was to "take control" of areas from which Palestinian militants have been firing rockets into Israel. | An Israeli military spokeswoman said the intention was to "take control" of areas from which Palestinian militants have been firing rockets into Israel. |
| A BBC reporter in Gaza says it appears to be a limited operation with 10 to 15 vehicles crossing the northern border. | A BBC reporter in Gaza says it appears to be a limited operation with 10 to 15 vehicles crossing the northern border. |
| Earlier, Israel intensified air and artillery attacks on the territory. | Earlier, Israel intensified air and artillery attacks on the territory. |
| In one raid, at least 13 people were killed when a missile struck a crowded mosque in Beit Lahiya, Palestinian medics said. | In one raid, at least 13 people were killed when a missile struck a crowded mosque in Beit Lahiya, Palestinian medics said. |
| If you commit the stupidity of launching a ground offensive then a black destiny awaits you Khalid MeshaalPolitical leader of Hamas UK protests over Gaza air strikesAid worker diary: Part sixGaza voices: Family fearsIn pictures: Assault intensifies | |
| Witnesses said more than 200 people had been inside the Ibrahim al-Maqadna mosque for evening prayers when it was struck. | Witnesses said more than 200 people had been inside the Ibrahim al-Maqadna mosque for evening prayers when it was struck. |
| Militants in Gaza meanwhile fired more rockets into southern Israel on Saturday, one of which hit the port of Ashdod, injuring two people. | Militants in Gaza meanwhile fired more rockets into southern Israel on Saturday, one of which hit the port of Ashdod, injuring two people. |
| Israel has carried out more than 800 strikes on the Gaza Strip since launching the offensive eight days ago, including 40 on Saturday. | |
| The UN has warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis, and believes 25% of more than 400 Palestinians killed by Israel so far were civilians. Israel says about 80% of those killed were Hamas militants. Four Israelis have been killed by rocket fire from Gaza. | |
| 'Long days' | |
| A small column of Israeli military vehicles, backed by attack helicopters, were seen crossing the border into the northern Gaza Strip on Saturday evening. | |
| Earlier, Israel intensified air and artillery attacks on the territory | |
| An Israeli military spokeswoman confirmed the incursion had begun and said the objective was "to destroy the Hamas terror infrastructure in the area of operations". | |
| "We are going to take some of the launch areas used by Hamas," Maj Avital Leibovitch told reporters. | |
| Another Israeli military spokesman warned that the operation would take "many long days". | |
| "This won't be a school outing," Brig Avi Benayahu told Israel's Channel Two television. | |
| The BBC's Paul Wood in Jerusalem says this is probably just the first wave of the assault, since there are said to be some 10,000 Israeli troops and hundreds of tanks massed on the border with Gaza. | |
| Map: Gaza and Israel violence | |
| The office of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has also announced that the government has ordered the urgent call-up of "tens of thousands" of extra military reservists. | |
| Just before the ground offensive began, Hamas issued a statement promising that Palestinian children would be picking over the ruins of Israeli tanks and the body parts of Israeli soldiers. | |
| The militant group's exiled political leader, Khalid Meshaal, meanwhile warned Israel against a ground offensive, saying that a "black destiny" awaited Israeli forces if the entered Gaza. | |
| Our correspondent says this promises to be a very bloody encounter. |