Tanks Rumble Into The Gaza Strip

Israeli tanks have entered into Gaza Saturday night. This is the second phase of the military assault on Hamas-ruled land after using airstrikes for a week.

Operation Cast Lead is aiming to halt the barrage of Hamas rockets into southern Israel. In the past week 59 Israelis have been wounded and four people have died because of the rocket attacks. Those residing in the Gaza Strip are faring much worst. At least 460 people, including many children, have died during the war long battle. Another 2,750 have died. Both sides have remained defiant as the eighth day of the armed conflict ended. Israel dropped leaflets into Northern Gaza warning people to leave the area for their safety on Saturday morning. As the tanks drove over the border Israel's Defense Force used ground artillery units firing from Israel into the Hamas occupied land. Already three people have died during this new tactic. It is expected that heavier casualties will be reported because artillery fire is not as accurate as controlled missiles. There is international pressure for Israel to halt the operation in the Gaza Strip. The largest attacks in the past four decades, Israel is taking huge political risks with its stance. The conditions for the 1.5 million Palestinians stuffed into Gaza is becoming even more desperate with food, water and medical supplies running low. Hamas has vowed that Gaza will be a 'graveyard' for Israeli forces.

A text message sent by Hamas' military wing, Izzedine al-Qassam, said "the Zionists started approaching the trap which our fighters prepared for them." Hamas said it also broadcast a Hebrew message on Israeli military radio frequencies promising to kill and kidnap the Israeli soldiers.