Israel OKs Gaza ground assault expansion



The Israeli security cabinet has approved expanding a ground offensive against the Gaza Strip to push deeper into populated areas.

“They approved continuing the ground offensive, including a third stage that would broaden it by pushing deeper into populated areas,” a senior defense official told AFP Wednesday.

The Israeli raids on Gaza, launched on December 27, have left at least 710 Palestinians dead, while some 3,100 others are injured.

The official added that Defense Minister Ehud Barak makes the final decision based on the cabinet’s voting.

The decision would allow the Israeli army to continue its ground offensive against the densely-populated sliver with the support of aerial and naval fire support.

The report comes shortly after Israel said it is considering a Franco-Egyptian proposal for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip.

Israel says its military operation is aimed at stopping rocket attacks launched by Hamas from the Gaza Strip.

Hamas says its attacks are carried out in retaliation for the Israeli blockade imposed on the strip — home to 1.5 million Palestinians.

Israeli officials had earlier asserted that the military campaign will go on until the full objectives of the ‘Operation Cast Lead’ are achieved.

The expansion of the ground assault will be the third stage of the Israeli operation.

In the first phase, launched on December 27, Israeli warplanes and ships bombarded the sliver. The second stage was the ground offensive, launched late Saturday, into the region.

Reports suggest that the expansion of the ground raids would require Tel Aviv to send thousands of reserve soldiers into Gaza.

HE/MD