Israel launches ground assault into Gaza
Troops and tanks cross into the Hamas-ruled territory, widening the week-old assault aimed at halting rocket fire into Israel.
Reporting from Jerusalem — Israeli troops and tanks crossed into the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip this evening, widening a week-old assault aimed at halting the militant Palestinian group's rocket fire into Israel.
A column of tanks, some firing their weapons, rolled into the northern part of the coastal enclave as Israeli combat helicopters flew overhead, according to Palestinian residents. Israeli television channels broadcast images of troops marching into the territory.
The ground offensive, launched after a week of punishing airstrikes, is designed to take control of Hamas' rocket-launching areas, the military announced. It said tank, artillery, special operations and intelligence units were taking part.
As Israeli warplanes pounded Hamas positions today, a missile struck a mosque in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya during late-afternoon prayers, killing 13 people inside, Palestinian medical workers reported. Two of the dead were children, they said.
The ground offensive began after dark, following a round of Israeli artillery fire that created a blanket of dust and smoke that obscured the troops' advance.
Israel launched the airstrikes Dec. 27 after Hamas called off a much-violated truce accord that lasted six months. The operation has killed more than 440 Palestinians, including dozens of civilians, according to Palestinian and United Nations counts, but has not stopped the rocket fire from Palestinian militants. Four Israelis have been killed.
Thousands of Israeli troops had been massing along the border for days, and Israeli officials said preparations for the ground offensive were completed Friday.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office said today that the government had ordered the call-up of tens of thousands of military reservists.
boudreaux@latimes.com
