Israel warns of extended Gaza offensive
Israel warns its assault into Gaza may take "many long days"
Monday, 05, Jan 2009 06:50
Israel has warned its assault into Gaza may take "many long days" as troops continue to move deeper into the Palestinian territory.
On Sunday, Israeli troops backed by an aerial and naval assault surrounded Gaza City – effectively cutting the territory in half.
Reports suggest at least five children were killed in the most recent airstrikes with more than 100 tanks now thought to have entered into Gaza.
Palestinian sources claim more than 500 people have been killed in the attacks with some 2,500 more injured.
Israel claims it will continue with its assault until the militant group Hamas stops firing rockets across the border.
French president Nicolas Sarkozy is due in Israel later today for talks aimed at ending the crisis. He will then travel to the West Bank for talks with the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas.
The UN security council is also due to meet on Monday to discuss the attacks after an emergency session on Sunday failed to produce a resolution or a statement calling for an end to the fighting.
The International Red Cross too has called for an end to the violence as humanitarian fears rise.
The Gaza Strip, home to 1.5 million people, is already suffering shortages of food and medical supplies due to a two-year blockade imposed by Israel.