IDF on outskirts of Gaza City cutting access

AFP:

Tens of 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.

Israeli forces moved into the fringes of Gaza City as families fled or hid on the second night of combat.

The Israeli government fought off intense international pressure over its biggest military operation since its 2006 war in Lebanon, with French President Nicolas Sarkozy due in the region, as well as Russian and EU delegations.

At least 70 Palestinians have been killed since the ground offensive began on Saturday night, 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.

Columns of troops and tanks surrounded Gaza City and fighting was reported in outer districts.

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.

An AFP photographer said warplanes were also bombing targets in the southern border town of Rafah, where hundreds of tunnels are used to smuggle in supplies from Egypt.

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Fierce clashes were also reported around the northern towns of Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanun and Jabaliya.

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This BBC map gives a good idea of the location of the action described above. Most of the ground action is still in the northern part of the Gaza strip, but the south is still under aerial assault as the Israelis try to stop the terrorist rocket men.

It does sound like the IDF is looking to impose a cordon around Gaza City at a minimum. I suspect there may be some lightning raids into the city for specific targets.

Israel is still having to deal with the whining of the terrorist sympathizers around the world. Israel's media operation is better this go round, but it still needs work.