Israel Strikes 150 Gaza Targets by Air, Sea in Operation to Halt Rockets [View all]
By Calev Ben-David and Saud Abu Ramadan Jul 8, 2014 4:04 PM ET
Israel struck 150 targets in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and authorized the call-up of 40,000 reservists as it weighed a possible ground operation to quell weeks of Palestinian rocket fire into its territory.
Gaza emergency services chief Ashraf al-Qedra said 16 people, including five children, were killed today as Israel’s offensive expanded. Militants raised the stakes by firing rockets in the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem areas for the first time during the latest round of violence. They also infiltrated Israel by sea and battled troops near an army base.
The military was investigating whether a tunnel discovered under the Israel-Gaza border was used for a second infiltration, a spokeswoman said, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Israel Radio reported a rocket struck near a house outside Jerusalem and two rockets were intercepted in the Tel Aviv area. No injuries were reported from any of the approximately 200 rockets fired during the day, according to emergency services director Eli Bin.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in televised comments that he ordered a “significant” expansion of Israel’s offensive in Gaza that “may take time.” A ground incursion is an option, according to an official who commented anonymously because he wasn’t authorized to comment on record.
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http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-07-08/israel-strikes-gaza-by-air-and-sea-in-operation-to-halt-rockets.html
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