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Dubai: Israeli troops killed 11 Palestinians yesterday in one of the deadliest days of fighting since Hamas wrested control of Gaza in mid-June.
Yesterday's fierce violence brought the Israeli-Palestinian conflict back to center stage after months of infighting in the seaside strip, and analysts said Israel's renewed push into Gaza was part of its plan to hit Hamas and undermine its power in Gaza by attacking it from all points.
The escalation, which comes one day after the release of BBC journalist Alan Johnston, is related to efforts to uncover the hideout where abducted Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit is being held since June 2006, sources said.
Agencies quoted Israeli sources as saying that any incursion in Gaza was related to the fate of Gilad Shalit.
Tanks roll in
Asked whether Johnston's release would revive efforts to release Shalit, Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zohri told Gulf News that Hamas is willing to negotiate if Israel agreed to reach a deal.
"A deal might include several hundreds under special criteria, such as women, children and those sentenced for long terms. The ball is in Israel's court," Abu Zohri said.
However, hours later, Israeli responded by sending troops and tanks, backed by helicopters, to push across the border into the central part of the Gaza Strip where they were locked in heavy fighting with Palestinians, AFP quoted medical sources and army as saying.
Israel called in tanks and bulldozers to press what it said was "operations against terror infrastructure," while militants laid mines and fired mortars at soldiers at a main Gaza-Israel border post. Most of those killed were Hamas members.
At least 25 Palestinians were injured.
Witnesses said Israeli troops were also operating in northern Gaza on the outskirts of Beit Hanun, where two militants were wounded overnight.
— With additional inputs from Khalil Assali/ Correspondent
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