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Israeli tanks roll into southern Gaza
 Israeli tanks and troops moved into southern Gaza early Wednesday in a new phase of a two-week offensive aimed at militants holding a captured soldier and firing rockets, Palestinians and the military said. The Israeli military confirmed its forces were operating in southern Gaza, but gave no details.On Tuesday, Israeli leaders ordered the army to expand the Gaza offensive, moving into areas of the territory they have not yet entered. Palestinians said they saw Israeli bulldozers leveling farmland and tanks moving across the border near the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. The military ordered Palestinian security to leave their forward positions in the area. The Israelis have not entered Khan Younis during the current offensive. Before Tuesday, Israeli forces had entered southern and northern Gaza and have approached Gaza City. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and his defense minister, Amir Peretz, ordered the new incursions into Gaza after Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal said Monday he would not free the captive soldier, 19-year-old Cpl. Gilad Shalit, security officials said on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the operation. Mashaal called Shalit a prisoner of war and demanded a prisoner swap which Olmert has ruled out. Posted by: Anonymoose 2006-07-12 |
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