Sun Jul 20, 2014 09:07:15
The Israeli regime says it's expanding the ground offensive in the Gaza Strip, as the bloodiest conflict since 2009 has entered its 13th day with a death toll of 352.
The army began the ground offensive late on Thursday, after 10 days of aerial and naval bombardment of the besieged Palestinian territory.
According to the Israeli military, since the ground operation began, three Israeli troopers have been killed, including two in a firefight with Hamas fighters inside Israeli territory.
Army Chief-of-Staff Lieutenant Colonel Benny Gantz warned on Friday that as Israel expanded the ground operation there would be "moments of hardship", alluding to the possibility of further Israeli casualties.
The 12-day operation has so far killed 352 Palestinians and five Israelis.
Clashes intensified in Gaza with tank shelling and air strikes killing 47 Palestinians on Saturday and two Israeli troopers and another Israeli are also dead.
NTJ/HH
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