More forces to enter Gaza?
Photo: AFP
Gaza war: Second stage nearing completion
As clashes in Gaza decrease, IDF sources say if Israel seeks to strike Hamas harder ground offensive must be expanded, more forces thrown into battle
As Operation Cast Lead
entered its 17th day, the IDF continued its preparations of the next phase of the offensive, but is still awaiting the decisions and instructions of the political echelon.
During Sunday night there have been relatively little incidents in Gaza and fewer airstrikes than usual were recorded. IDF sources stressed that in order to further strike Hamas, the ground offensive must be expanded and more forces should be thrown into battle.
More Troops
Hanan Greenberg
Military said to deploy some of its reserve forces in Gaza. IDF spokesman says Hamas hinders humanitarian aid efforts, make 'monstrous use' of civilian population
Should the cabinet approve the next stage of the operation, reserve units that have been training in army bases in the last week will enter the Strip.
Some reserve forces are already in Gaza carrying out special missions.
Meanwhile, despite the decrease in clashes, Gaza is still under fire. Early Monday morning Palestinian sources reported that the IDF has been striking from the air, sea and ground. One person was reportedly killed and several other were wounded in an airstrike of a building said to be used by a Hamas charity.
Hamas-run television network reported that a child and two women were killed by IDF artillery in the Zeytun neighborhood. A total of seven people were killed during the night in Gaza, according to local sources.
The IDF announced Monday that it would operate a "humanitarian corridor" into Gaza between 10 am and 1 pm. The Kerem Shalom and Karni crossings will be opened to allow the transfer of food supplies and medicine into the Strip.
On the diplomatic level, reports regarding progress in talk of a truce ranged from cautious optimism to downright pessimism Monday. The negotiations between Israeli officials and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's representatives have encountered some difficulties and Defense Ministry's official Amos Gilad's planned trip to Cairo has been cancelled.
Roni Sofer contributed to the report
