Special to WorldTribune.com

TEL AVIV — Israel’s military has begun limited ground operations in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

The military said commandos from the Israel Navy infiltrated the Gaza Strip to attack a Hamas rocket unit. The military said four of the commandos were injured in the battle in which the rocket launcher was struck.

“The facility was hit and damaged,” the military said on July 13.

The raid marked the first Israeli ground operation in the Gaza Strip since the start of the latest mini-war on July 7. The government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected calls for a major ground invasion of the Gaza Strip.

Hamas acknowledged the Israeli commando operation. The Islamic regime,
however, said it stopped the Israeli soldiers from landing on the Gaza
coast.

Earlier, the Israeli military warned residents of the northern Gaza
Strip to evacuate their homes. The military, which mobilized at least 33,000
reservists, has deployed main battle tanks and artillery along the Gaza
border.

“Those who fail to comply with the instructions to leave immediately
will endanger their lives and the lives of their families. Beware,” a
leaflet dropped by the military said.

The military has been targeting the Hamas command. Military sources said
the targets included Assam Dalis, Ruhi Ghani, Ruhi Mashtaha, Atia Abu Nakira
and Yehya Sanuar.

The northern Gaza city of Beit Lahiya was believed to be the imminent
target of the Israel Army. A senior officer said Beit Lahiya was being used
by Hamas and Islamic Jihad for medium- and long-range attacks into Israel.

“The enemy has built rocket infrastructure in-between the houses,” the
officer said. “He wants to trap me into an attack and into hurting
civilians.”

  Beit Lahiya, Benjamin Netanyahu, Gaza Strip, Israeli commandos attack Hamas rocket unit in first ground operation of mini-war