Israel seizes high-rises, attacks tunnels in Gaza
Israeli troops close in further on Gaza City. Diplomatic efforts to arrange a cease-fire with Hamas make no progress, and rocket attacks on southern Israeli cities continue.
Reporting from Gaza City and Jerusalem — Israel continued to tighten its grip on the Gaza Strip today, as world leaders pushed for an end to the fighting that entered its 10th day.
After effectively bisecting the Gaza Strip over the weekend, the Israeli military announced that it had seized high-rise buildings and attacked tunnels at the edge of Gaza City. Further advances by the Israeli military would bring it into the heart of the Gaza's major city.
Diplomatic efforts continued, but showed no tangible results as Israel insisted that it was justified in continuing its invasion until it was assured that Hamas, which controls Gaza, would cease its rocket fire at the Jewish state's southern flank.
Despite the days of fierce bombings and invasion over the weekend, Hamas today continued its rocket attacks, launching more than 30 rockets at southern Israeli cities such as Ashkelon, Ashdod, Netivot and Ofakim.
European leaders continued to call for a resumption of the truce between Israel and Hamas. French President Nicolas Sarkozy was scheduled to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whose authority has been limited to the West Bank since his faction lost control of Gaza to Hamas in June 2007.
In Washington, President Bush again defended Israel's actions.
"I understand Israel's desire to protect itself," Bush said a televised comment from the Oval Office. "The situation now taking place in Gaza was caused by Hamas."
"Instead of caring about the people of Gaza, Hamas decided to use Gaza to launch rockets to kill innocent Israelis," Bush said. "Israel's obviously decided to protect herself and her people."
Bush again said he was concerned about the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, cut off from supplies. He said the United States would supply aid.
The violence must end, "but not at the expense of an agreement that does not prevent the crisis from happening again," Bush said.
Meanwhile, President-elect Barack Obama continued to steer clear of saying anything about Israel's actions. Obama was in Washington this morning, meeting with congressional leaders about the economy.
The president-elect took no questions after meeting with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, though he said he would have a press availability later in the day.
The toll in the Mideast continued to rise. More than 500 Palestinian have reportedly been killed and at least 2,000 wounded. Five Israelis, including one soldier, have been killed.
