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| Israel-Gaza conflict: Israeli military launches first ground incursion into Gaza | Israel-Gaza conflict: Israeli military launches first ground incursion into Gaza |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Israel has launched its first ground offensive in a bid to destroy a rocket-launching site in northern Gaza. | Israel has launched its first ground offensive in a bid to destroy a rocket-launching site in northern Gaza. |
| Troops were sent in early on Sunday, in a brief raid which left four soldiers slightly wounded after an exchange of gunfire. | Troops were sent in early on Sunday, in a brief raid which left four soldiers slightly wounded after an exchange of gunfire. |
| The site had been used to fire long-range rockets at Israel, its defence forces said. | The site had been used to fire long-range rockets at Israel, its defence forces said. |
| Forces then dropped leaflets into the homes of residents asking them to evacuate, ahead of what a military spokesman described as a “short and temporary” assault on the region. | Forces then dropped leaflets into the homes of residents asking them to evacuate, ahead of what a military spokesman described as a “short and temporary” assault on the region. |
| The campaign was due to begin after 12pm local time on Sunday (9am GMT), though it is unclear whether this attack would comprise of a further ground offensive or continued airstrikes. | The campaign was due to begin after 12pm local time on Sunday (9am GMT), though it is unclear whether this attack would comprise of a further ground offensive or continued airstrikes. |
| The Israeli army tweeted this morning: "We warned civilians in N. Gaza to move away from Hamas targets. Hamas told civilians to ignore our warnings & remain in the line of fire." | The Israeli army tweeted this morning: "We warned civilians in N. Gaza to move away from Hamas targets. Hamas told civilians to ignore our warnings & remain in the line of fire." |
| It comes after the United Nations Security Council called for a ceasefire to the bloody conflict which has left 160 Palestinians dead. | It comes after the United Nations Security Council called for a ceasefire to the bloody conflict which has left 160 Palestinians dead. |
| A statement from the UN said: “The Security Council members called for de-escalation of the situation, restoration of calm and reinstitution of the November 2012 ceasefire.” | A statement from the UN said: “The Security Council members called for de-escalation of the situation, restoration of calm and reinstitution of the November 2012 ceasefire.” |
| We are dropping these leaflets above N. Gaza, warning civilians to move away from Hamas terrorists & command centers. pic.twitter.com/HxVWjjGpsC | We are dropping these leaflets above N. Gaza, warning civilians to move away from Hamas terrorists & command centers. pic.twitter.com/HxVWjjGpsC |
| An Israeli cabinet minister said the army is “ready and poised” for a ground offensive, following a week-long aerial bombardment on what is says are Hamas terror operations. | An Israeli cabinet minister said the army is “ready and poised” for a ground offensive, following a week-long aerial bombardment on what is says are Hamas terror operations. |
| Palestinian militants have launched more than 800 rockets out of Gaza, the military said, while Israel has staged more than 1,300 airstrikes. | Palestinian militants have launched more than 800 rockets out of Gaza, the military said, while Israel has staged more than 1,300 airstrikes. |
| Despite international pressure calling on Israel to halt the attacks, it has widened its target area to include civilian institutions that are suspected of concealing Hamas weaponry. | Despite international pressure calling on Israel to halt the attacks, it has widened its target area to include civilian institutions that are suspected of concealing Hamas weaponry. |
| Mourners carry the body of a Palestinian militant yesterday A strike on a centre of the disabled killed two patients and wounded four others, while a second attack flattened the home of Gaza police chief Taysir al-Batsh and damaged a nearby mosque, killing 18. | |
| Medics in Gaza have said they are struggling to cope with the demand on services and to reach those most in need. | Medics in Gaza have said they are struggling to cope with the demand on services and to reach those most in need. |
| Audrey Landmann, the medical co-ordinator for Médecins sans Frontières, said: “The health system in Gaza is very fragile. | Audrey Landmann, the medical co-ordinator for Médecins sans Frontières, said: “The health system in Gaza is very fragile. |
| “It was already fragile before the beginning of the war. With the increase in patients in the hospitals, the situation can very quickly become catastrophic.” | “It was already fragile before the beginning of the war. With the increase in patients in the hospitals, the situation can very quickly become catastrophic.” |