Heavy shelling along Gaza border as Israel prepares for ground operation (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Published time: November 17, 2012 05:38
Edited time: November 17, 2012 18:39
Israeli soldiers take position on Israel's border with the Gaza Strip on November 17, 2012 (AFP Photo / Menahem Kahana)
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The Israeli Defense Force is preparing for a ground operation in Gaza, as Operation Pillar of Defense continues for a fourth day. Some 75,000 army reservists have been called up to prepare the offensive.

“The Israeli Defense Forces have sealed off roads around Gaza, declaring the area a closed military zone. This is just another suggestion that a ground offensive may be imminent,” RT correspondent Paula Slier, who is in Tel Aviv, told RT. ­

Israel bombed 85 sites in Gaza overnight, including Hamas’ headquarters. Witnesses at the scene reported massive damage from the strikes.

There were two series of strikes overnight: one at around 3am local time (01:00 GMT), and another at 5am (03:00 GMT).

Activists reported that bodies were under the rubble of a house hit by the strike in Jabalia, situated in Gaza’s north.

During the second string of strikes the Hamas leadership’s buildings were hit, but they are said to have been empty.

The violence is showing no signs of ending anytime soon.

“There continues to be heavy shelling from tanks along the border into Gaza,” Slier said.

At least 39 Palestinians have already been killed in the assault that has been going on for four days, Ma'an news agency reported. Seven of the casualties were children. Three Israeli citizens also died in the violence.

A Palestinian Hamas security member inspects the destroyed office building of Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya in Gaza City on November 17, 2012 (AFP Photo / Mahmud Hams)
A Palestinian Hamas security member inspects the destroyed office building of Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya in Gaza City on November 17, 2012 (AFP Photo / Mahmud Hams)

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Alex Selsky said the government “will do everything needed to target terrorists – only terrorists – to stop the firing of rockets on Israeli cities, schools, and children.”

But as airstrikes continue in densely-populated Gaza, many say targeted attacks are simply not possible.

“If you talk to people on ground, everyone points to fact that this can’t be a completely targeted operation. Most of those who have died are civilians,” Slier said.

The international community is pushing up efforts to deal with the situation.

The Tunisian foreign minister is currently in Gaza to show his support for Hamas, and the Arab League will gather for a meeting later on Saturday.

Meanwhile, anti-Israel protests have taken place across the world, with demonstrators gathering to support Gaza in Egypt, Iran, and the West Bank.

A Palestinian man looks for injured people in the rubble following an Israeli air raid on a house in Beit Lahia, the northern Gaza Strip on November 17, 2012 (AFP Photo / Mohammed Abed)
A Palestinian man looks for injured people in the rubble following an Israeli air raid on a house in Beit Lahia, the northern Gaza Strip on November 17, 2012 (AFP Photo / Mohammed Abed)
A Palestinian looks from his damaged house at the destroyed office building of Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh after Israeli air strikes in Gaza City November 17, 2012 (Reuters / Suhaib Salem)
A Palestinian looks from his damaged house at the destroyed office building of Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh after Israeli air strikes in Gaza City November 17, 2012 (Reuters / Suhaib Salem)
An injured Palestinian child lies on a hospital bed following an Israeli air raid in Beit Lahia, the northern Gaza Strip on November 17, 2012 (AFP Photo / Mohammed Abed)
An injured Palestinian child lies on a hospital bed following an Israeli air raid in Beit Lahia, the northern Gaza Strip on November 17, 2012 (AFP Photo / Mohammed Abed)
Palestinian paramedics assist an injured woman following an Israeli air raid on a house in Beit Lahia, the northern Gaza Strip on November 17, 2012 (AFP Photo / Mohammed Abed)
Palestinian paramedics assist an injured woman following an Israeli air raid on a house in Beit Lahia, the northern Gaza Strip on November 17, 2012 (AFP Photo / Mohammed Abed)
Palestinian firefighters and rescue personnel work at a blast site following an Israeli air raid in Gaza City on November 17, 2012 (AFP Photo / Marco Longari)
Palestinian firefighters and rescue personnel work at a blast site following an Israeli air raid in Gaza City on November 17, 2012 (AFP Photo / Marco Longari)
Palestinians inspect the destroyed office building of Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya in Gaza City on November 17, 2012 (AFP Photo / Mahmud Hams)
Palestinians inspect the destroyed office building of Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya in Gaza City on November 17, 2012 (AFP Photo / Mahmud Hams)
A wounded Palestinian girl lies on a hospital bed after an Israeli air strike in the northern Gaza Strip November 17, 2012 (Reuters / Ali Hassan)
A wounded Palestinian girl lies on a hospital bed after an Israeli air strike in the northern Gaza Strip November 17, 2012 (Reuters / Ali Hassan)
A Palestinian Hamas policeman looks at an Israeli rocket in the street in Gaza City on November 17, 2012 (AFP Photo / Mahmud Hams)
A Palestinian Hamas policeman looks at an Israeli rocket in the street in Gaza City on November 17, 2012 (AFP Photo / Mahmud Hams)
A wounded Hamas policeman guards the destroyed office building of Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh after Israeli air strikes in Gaza City November 17, 2012 (Reuters / Suhaib Salem)
A wounded Hamas policeman guards the destroyed office building of Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh after Israeli air strikes in Gaza City November 17, 2012 (Reuters / Suhaib Salem)

Comments (138)

Chartric (unregistered) 03.02.2013 04:56

Thanks for contributing. It's helped me understand the isesus.

0

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Stasha (unregistered) 18.11.2012 10:00

This operation began cause of Hamas action towards Israel, through the years, none stop rockets lunching daily- none of this was shown in media. Israel, who seemed as the big dog rise against that, you come and report that, but not objectivly, calling Israel soldiers murders, it is shame for tv station and your moral codes. That "murders" as u called them are fighting against terrorists, which use own kids as humen shield. Israel just wants to stop killing of inocent people by Islamic terrorists, which primary goal is to kill as much Jews is possible and after that all other non islamic people.You forgot rapidly  that on East,  muslims which support Palestina are killing Christians, again in the name of their religion. That is the politic you support. Supporting Palestina, people support terrorism, and forgot on victims of terrorism. Supporting Palestina and actions of Hamas, people support killing non islamic people in the name of Islamic religion. Please try to be objective, when you consider someone as "murder" find strong proves for that word and do not listen just one side. I think that it is not human and objective to be so extreme and call Israeli people with that name, because Israel wants peace  and unfortunately this is the road to peace. I will not forgot  victims which died because of Islamic terrorism, and i will not forgot fact that the only thing what Palestinian people wants is dead Jews. I do not support words, calling Israeli soldiers killers, because they are the only one who have courage to stop terrorist actions.

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A. Patriot (unregistered) 18.11.2012 06:36

To the Gaza Defenders, read this carefully for a heads up on what you hopefully already are realising:

Wh ile Ground based artillery and tanks heavily shell the borders right next to Gaza itself, such is nearly always done to remove mines and buried explosives ahead of a planned ground invasion.

Wha t is not as obvious but important to know and defend against is the Apartheid Israeli Warships have been battering the coastal Mediterranean Sea Gaza coastline the same as their land based counterparts. WHY? Because it appears the Israeli Navy is preparing for a ground and sea assault 2 prong invasion.

The why is more complex and should be better understood as Israel's Naval forces are preparing for a sea invasion of Iran in the Persian Gulf waterway. They see unleashing the dogs of war onto largely unarmed Gazan civilians via a land and sea incursion as their final tune-up to their planned invasion of Iran.

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