Israel makes first ground incursion in Gaza, Palestinian death toll above 162
The Palestinian death toll from Israeli air strikes rose to 162.
JERUSALEM (AFP) - Israeli navy commandos launched a ground operation overnight in the north of the Gaza Strip, the first since the offensive against Hamas began, Israeli public radio said early Sunday.
Hamas confirmed that Israeli commandos had exchanged gunfire with some Palestinian fighters. A military spokesman later said four Israeli soldiers had been lightly wounded during the operation.
It was the first ground operation in Gaza by the Israeli military since the start of its offensive on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the toll from Israeli air strikes rose to 162. Saturday was the bloodiest day since the conflict erupted on Tuesday, claiming 56 Palestinian lives including a two-year-old child and a 73-year-old woman.
Israel continued to build up troops along the Gaza border ahead of a possible ground invasion, warning Palestinians in northern Gaza to evacuate their homes.
With the rising Palestinian death toll, and with no Israelis killed, the UN Security Council unanimously urged to respect "international humanitarian laws" and stop the loss of life.
