This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7249966.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Israel detains dozens of Gazans | Israel detains dozens of Gazans |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| The Israeli military says it has taken about 80 Palestinians to Israel for questioning following a ground operation in the Gaza Strip. | The Israeli military says it has taken about 80 Palestinians to Israel for questioning following a ground operation in the Gaza Strip. |
| Three Palestinian militants and a civilian were killed in the incursion on Sunday morning. An Israeli soldier was seriously wounded. | |
| Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the army had a "free hand" to target militants in Gaza. | Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the army had a "free hand" to target militants in Gaza. |
| He faces growing pressure to put an end to rocket attacks from the territory. | He faces growing pressure to put an end to rocket attacks from the territory. |
| Separately, the military said it had detained 16 suspected militants in overnight raids across the West Bank. | |
| The Palestinian news agency reported raids in Hebron, Tulkarm and in the Jenin area, and said several people were injured when Israeli troops stormed their houses. | |
| Israel and the Fatah faction - in charge of Palestinian-administered areas in the West Bank - are pursuing a renewed peace effort launched at a US-hosted conference last November. | |
| Israel has shunned any engagement with the Islamist militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza, and has continued security operations against militants there. | |
| But despite raids and incursions that have killed scores of Palestinians over past months, there has been no let-up in the rocket attacks. | But despite raids and incursions that have killed scores of Palestinians over past months, there has been no let-up in the rocket attacks. |
| Incursion | Incursion |
| Backed by aircraft, Israeli ground forces entered Gaza early on Sunday killing a civilian and three members of the armed wing of Hamas. | |
| Some Israelis have demanded more action against rocket attacks | Some Israelis have demanded more action against rocket attacks |
| Palestinian health officials said more than 20 people, including civilians, were injured in subsequent clashes before the Israeli forces withdrew in the afternoon. | Palestinian health officials said more than 20 people, including civilians, were injured in subsequent clashes before the Israeli forces withdrew in the afternoon. |
| Israeli military officials said the operation was aimed at "infrastructures of terrorist organisations". | |
| The army said one of its soldiers was "seriously wounded" during exchanges of fire and was evacuated by helicopter to a nearby hospital. | |
| The latest operation comes as Prime Minister Olmert faces mounting domestic pressure over rocket attacks. | The latest operation comes as Prime Minister Olmert faces mounting domestic pressure over rocket attacks. |
| Israeli officials say more than 700 rockets and shells have been launched from Gaza since the beginning of 2008, and last week an eight-year-old Israeli boy lost most of his leg in an attack. | Israeli officials say more than 700 rockets and shells have been launched from Gaza since the beginning of 2008, and last week an eight-year-old Israeli boy lost most of his leg in an attack. |
| In a speech to Jewish American leaders in Jerusalem on Sunday, Mr Olmert said Israel had "a free hand to respond" and attack anyone who has "any kind of responsibility". | In a speech to Jewish American leaders in Jerusalem on Sunday, Mr Olmert said Israel had "a free hand to respond" and attack anyone who has "any kind of responsibility". |
| "That applies to everyone, first and foremost Hamas," Mr Olmert added. | "That applies to everyone, first and foremost Hamas," Mr Olmert added. |
| Mr Olmert also commented on the peace talks with Fatah, which controls the West Bank. | Mr Olmert also commented on the peace talks with Fatah, which controls the West Bank. |
| He said the aim of the negotiations was to reach an understanding on "basic principles" for a Palestinian state by the end of the year. | He said the aim of the negotiations was to reach an understanding on "basic principles" for a Palestinian state by the end of the year. |