Israeli Tanks Expand Gaza offensive

The death toll and the number of wounded is growing. Intense diplomatic activity in the region by president Sarkozy, EU, Russia.

JERUSALEM (AsiaNews/Agencies) - Thousands of Israeli troops battled Hamas fighters in Gaza early on Monday amid tank, artillery and air strikes as the death toll from the offensive to end rocket attacks passed 510.

On Saturday night Israel launched an overwhelming ground offensive in the coastal territory, which is inflicting a a heavy blow against Hamas. At least 63 Palestinians have been killed by tank shells or missiles fired from warplanes since the ground offensive began, Gaza medics said. Israel said one soldier was killed by a mortar shell and another 19 were wounded, bringing the total to 49 since the beginning of the incursion.

Witnesses said tanks had cut off Gaza City and the far north from the rest of the strip, which would prevent the entry of arms, supplies and fighters from the south.

Aid groups said the offensive had aggravated a humanitarian crisis for the population, who have no electricity, no water and now face dire food shortages. Hospitals were only running on backup generators.

Moawiya Hassanein, head of Gaza medical emergency services, told AFP the number of Palestinians killed since the Israeli operation was launched on December 27 was now 512, including 87 children. The figures could not be independently verified. Israel is refusing to let international journalists into Gaza despite a ruling by its a supreme court to admit a limited number of reporters.

The Israeli government unleashed "Operation Cast Lead" on December 27 with the declared aim of ending rocket attacks on Israel that resumed after a six-month truce ended on December 19.

Rocket fire over the past week has killed four people in Israel. Thirty-two rockets and mortar rounds were fired across the border on Sunday and hit Sderot, Ashdod and other towns, lightly injuring three people.

Intense diplomatic efforts are under way to try to secure a ceasefire in Gaza as the Israeli ground assault against Hamas militants rolls on. French President Sarkozy is heading to the Middle East to try to persuade Israeli and Arab leaders to agree to a 48-hour humanitarian truce. A separate, high-profile EU delegation and a Russian envoy are already there.

In a separate development, a Hamas official said a delegation of the Islamist group would head for talks in Egypt.