Israeli ground forces fought street battles with militants
in Gaza City on Tuesday, in the latest stage of their offensive against Hamas
in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli planes also struck again in the town of Rafah, at Gaza's border with
Egypt, targeting tunnels used to smuggle weapons and other goods.
Hamas fired at least 18 rockets into southern Israel on Tuesday. The Israeli
government has said it will not end its offensive unless the rocket fire stops.
The 18-day conflict has reportedly killed at least 900 Palestinians and 13
Israelis. On Tuesday, the chief of staff of Israel's armed forces (,
Lieutenant-General Gabi Ashkenazi,) said the military has dealt a severe
blow to Hamas, but the job is still not finished.
United Nations officials say civilians in Gaza are becoming increasingly
desperate because they have no protection and are trapped with nowhere to go.