Summary Israel army spokesman said Israel was recruiting additional reservists for ground invasion.
GAZA (Web Desk/AP) -- Israel launched what could be a long-term offensive against the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip on Tuesday, the Israeli military said after striking at 50 sites in Gaza by air and sea and mobilizing troops for a possible ground invasion in order to ‘quell rocket attacks’ on Israel.
The Israeli army said its offensive, dubbed "Operation Protective Edge," was aimed at striking Hamas and ending the rocket fire that has intensified in recent weeks amid tensions over the killing of three Israeli teenagers and the apparent revenge killing of a Palestinian youth.
"They chose the direction of escalation," said army spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner. "So the mission will go on as long as we feel it is necessary to carry it out. We don't expect it to be a short mission on our behalf."
Contrary to the claims of Israeli army, Gaza health official Ashraf Al-Kedra said at least nine Palestinian civilians were brought to a Gaza hospital with light to moderate injuries from the airstrikes, including several who suffered from shock. He said some of the injured Palestinians were treated and released.
Lerner, the Israel military spokesman, said the army will gradually increase its attacks on Hamas in Gaza, and is recruiting additional reservists for a potential ground invasion of Gaza.
The Israel army ordered hundreds of thousands of Israelis within a 40-kilometer (25-mile) radius of the Gaza Strip to stay indoors.
