Israeli Ground Troops Enter Gaza

JERUSALEM (Catholic Online) - The Jerusalem Post is confirming that Israeli ground troops, accompanied by tanks, have entered the Gaza strip on Saturday.

This marks the first time that infantry has been involved since the renewed hostility between Israel and Hamas began over a week ago.

Until Saturday, the Israeli military operation has consisted of repeated and progressive air assaults.

This entire Israeli operation is referred to as "Operation Cast Lead". It has now entered a new phase and shows no sign of letting up.

The addition of Israel's Defense ground troops on Saturday portend protracted fighting.

Israel maintains it's actions are defensive, in response to the persistent lobbing of rockets by those loyal to Hamas at positions within Israel and aimed at Israeli civilians.

Hamas claims to the contrary and it is seeking to rally support from within the region.Behind the scenes, efforts are underway by neighbors to broker at least a truce.

Reports emanating from the Israeli command claim that 20 - 30 Hamas terrorists were killed during clashes with Israeli infantry.

The International community is responding with an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday evening.

The Israeli cabinet has authorized calling up of thousands of reserve troops and the Army spokesperson indicated "To my estimation, it will be a lengthy operation," she said.

There are over 3,000 Christians in the Gaza strip. This beleaguered community has been threatened by Islamic militants and lived in fear for a long time. Now, they are caught between the crosshairs of escalating warfare between the Israeli Army and Hamas.

Just in the last few days the Gaza Baptist Church was destroyed by an Israeli bomb. Forty people were killed.

Christians in Gaza are members of Latin Rite as well as Eastern Catholics, Orthodox as well as members of the Reformed and evangelical Protestant communities.

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