TEL AVIV — Israel has conducted its first large-scale invasion of
the Gaza Strip since its withdrawal from the area in 2005.
On Wednesday, Israeli elite combat units, main battle tanks and armored
personnel carriers advanced three kilometers into the southern Gaza Strip.
Military sources said the Israeli ground force captured the Gaza airport at
Dahaniya near Rafah in search of a soldier abducted by Hamas on June 25.
"The area of Dahaniya represents a strategic control and observation
point over the area of Rafah and the southern Gaza Strip," a military
statement said on Wednesday. "So far there has been one incident of gunfire
and anti-tank missile fire at the forces, but no injuries or damage were
reported."
At the same time, the Israel Air Force conducted strikes throughout the
Gaza Strip in an operation entitled "Summer Rain." The sources said most of
the targets were Palestinian insurgency strongholds as well as three bridges
and a power station.
"We don't have any intention to again capture the Gaza Strip," Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert said. "We don't have any intention to remain there."
The Israeli operation, which at this point includes up to three combat
brigades, was designed to take at least a week, the military sources said.
They said the invasion of Gaza would contain several phases, with each meant
to increase pressure on the Hamas-led PA and insurgency groups.
"We are trying to approach the area where we think the soldier is
located," Justice Minister Haim Ramon said.
The sources said Israeli artillery based in the southern Gaza Strip
fired toward suspected Palestinian insurgency strongholds to prevent the
transfer of the Israeli soldier to neighboring Egypt. They said Israel Navy
patrol boats banned Palestinian vessels along the Gaza coast and stopped
people from walking along beach.
"The purpose of these actions by the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]," the
military said, "is to prevent the kidnappers from transferring the soldier
within or out of the Gaza Strip and otherwise disrupt their activity, and to
send a clear message to the terror organizations holding the soldier captive
that if he is not released safely and quickly, further operational means
remain available to the IDF."
Officials said Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni updated the State Department
on Israel's invasion plans. They said Ms. Livni stressed that Israel would
end the military operation if Hamas surrenders the Israeli soldier.
So far, Israel has not reported significant Palestinian resistance. On
Wednesday, Palestinian gunners fired four Kassam-class, short-range missiles
into Israel.
Three of the missiles fell in a farming community just north of the Gaza
Strip. There were no reports of injuries or damages.
"Fight your enemies, who came to their deaths," Hamas leader Nizar Rayan
said in a radio message. "Grab your rifles and resist."
