IDF troops in Gaza looking for rocketmen

Jerusalem Post:

For the first time since the start of Operation Cast Lead, IDF ground troops entered the Gaza Strip on Saturday evening, exchanging fire with Hamas gunmen.

The IDF said that a large amount of Armored Corps, Engineering Corps and Infantry troops entered the territory with the purpose of destroying Hamas infrastructure and preventing rocket fire by taking control of launching pads in northern Gaza.

The IDF warned that terrorists using civilians as human shields would bear full responsibility for their fate.

The cabinet also approved the call-up of thousands of reservists, mostly from combat units, but also from the Home Front Command.

Several hours before the ground operation commenced, the army began to fire artillery shells into the northern part of the Strip.

According to reports, the artillery units were attacking targets in northern Gaza from where Palestinian terrorists had been firing rockets at southern Israel.

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As I said below the artillery fire made a good prelude to the use of ground forces. The army announcement contained several good elements. It contained the purpose of the operation and it held the enemy accountable for using human shields. The latter is very important to controlling the message in the media battle space where Hamas is eager to cause noncombatant casualties on both sides. This is an attempt to preempt the Hamas message.