Some 15 Israeli tanks entered the Gaza Strip through the Karni (Mintar) border crossing early Saturday morning in a new assault on the Palestinian-held territory. The tanks moved some 500 meters within the Shajaiyeh neighborhood and engaged in fierce fighting with local fighters.
The Israel Air Force fired missiles at a group of Palestinians gathered at the outskirts of Shajaiyeh, killing at least two people, Palestinian security and hospital officials said.
A Palestinian was critically wounded the Israeli fire early Saturday, it was reported. He later died of his wounds. The Israeli side said the forces were deployed in order to search for tunnels used by Palestinian fighters.
Israeli troops killed 32 Palestinians in two days of airstrikes and artillery barrages, Palestinian officials said.
Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan urged the Security Council on Friday to take a stand on Israel's violent operations. Qatar has circulated a draft resolution demanding that Israel end its offensive and free Palestinian officials detained during the operation.
Annan appealed to Israel and the Palestinians to "pull back from the brink for the sake of all civilians in the region." According to the AP, he called on Israel to halt what he said was the disproportionate use of force.
