IDF forces enter north Gaza

The IDF received a green light on Wednesday from the security-political cabinet to step up its operation; during the evening a second rocket was fired at the southern city of Ashkelon.  

IDF ground forces raided northwest Gaza and operated in areas used to launch Qassams at Israel. In addition, the Air Force attacked several targets in the Strip. Hamas activist Abdullah Zomer was killed in an air strike near a north Gaza beach, and earlier the IAF struck the main post of the Palestinian naval police in Sudaniya. At least two Palestinians, Rami Abu Hashem and Husam Hijazi, were killed in the attack and another eight were injured. The attack took place next to the home of senior Palestinian official Nabil Shaath, which Palestinians say was partly raided by IDF soldiers.

Meanwhile, there has been a noticable rise in tension among the Palestinian gunmen. Palestinian sources reported that armed Palestinians fired at two journalists, an al-Jazeera reporter and a local agency's photographer. The two were seriously wounded.

The Palestinians fired at the two by mistake after suspecting that they were members of a special Israeli unit.

The IAF attacked a terror cell in the northern Gaza Strip, which was apparently planning to place explosive devices in the area.

The northern Strip operation is expected to be comprehensive and will not be limited in time or space, meaning it may expand into the center of the Strip if needed.

Simultaneously, the IDF will prepare to answer the Palestinian population's needs through coordinating officers who will join the forces and provide an answer in real time to anything that takes place in the field, in a bid to prevent grave humanitarian problems.

Large Givati, Golani, Armored and Engineering Corps forces, backed by IAF helicopters are expected to enter northern Gaza.

Palestinian sources reported this evening on the entrance of forces in areas near the former settlements of Dugit, Elei Sinai, and Nisanit.

Slow and cautious entry

The forces are also meant to deal with areas used by Qassam launchers in Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya, from which the rocket fired at Ashkelon was launched.

The entry into Gaza is meant to be slow and cautious, especially since the area may be filled with mines and other elements planted by terrorists in order to harm troops.

After completing the incursion which will take a number of hours, the forces will use areas to make it difficult for terrorists to move from area to area, while "closing" all of northern Gaza from which Qassam cells operate.

The aim is to lower to a minimum rocket attacks on Israel by the first stage, while forces are inside Gaza.

Last week, the IDF distributed leaflets calling on Gaza residents to refrain from confronting soldiers. The IDF said it had no intention of confronting residents and harming the Palestinian population, but that every armed terrorist who will try to harm forces will be hurt.

And while the IDF is preparing for a large-scale operation, US secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called on Israel to maintain restraint in a bid to prevent a further deterioration in the situation, explaining that the situation in Gaza was very tense.

Peretz: Any rocket fired at Israel is intolerable

Speaking at the end of a Navy officers' course ceremony Wednesday evening, Defense Minister Amir Peretz referred to the Qassam fired at Israel.

"One must not rely on the miracle. The rocket fired last night illustrated all the more forcefully the need to halt the firing of Qassam rockets. In this context there is no difference between Ashkelon, Sderot or other Gaza vicinity communities. Any rocket fired at Israel is intolerable and Israel won’t tolerate and will do everything to restore calm," he said.

Peretz added that the IDF will hit terror organizations, headed by Hamas.

"We will continue to harm the terrorists' ability to move and the infrastructures serving terror organizations. We won't sink into the Gazan mud, but we will enter every place we need in order to overthrow terror. The operation was on its way only after we tried all other methods," he said.

The defense minister added that before any mission or operation, the commanders and heads of the defense establishment look into all the details in order to make sure that the operation is necessary and to guarantee that all soldiers return safe and sound.

"However, as far as I am concerned, the military operation is not the favorable way. If the kidnapped soldier is returned unconditionally and the Qassam fire stops, the military operation will also be halted," he said.

IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Dan Halutz spoke before Peretz, saying that "these days it has become clear to us that the road to peace is still long. The other sides are provoking war, quarrels and arguments."

The army chief sent his condolences to the families of the soldiers killed in Kerem Shalom, wished the injured soldiers a speedy recovery and promised to exert every effort to return kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit to his home.

During a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Abduallah Gul, Rice welcomed the diplomatic efforts exerted by Turkey in the current Mideast crisis. Gul said that his people have contacted the Syrians and asked them to help in the efforts to free kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit.

Ali Waked and Ahiya Raved contributed to the report