JERUSALEM: The Israeli military has launched a large-scale ground operation in the Gaza strip after the country’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed it to do so.
BREAKING NEWS: A large IDF force has just launched a ground operation in the Gaza Strip. A new phase of Operation Protective Edge has begun.
— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) July 17, 2014
“The prime minister and defence minister have instructed the IDF (Israel Defence Force) to begin a ground operation tonight in order to hit the terror tunnels from Gaza into Israel,” an official statement from his office said.
In a statement the Israeli military said that the operation will include infantry, armoured corps, engineer corps, artillery and intelligence combined with aerial and naval support.
Our infantry, tanks, artillery, engineers & field intelligence are entering Gaza supported by the Air Force, Navy & other security agencies.
— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) July 17, 2014
At least 243 persons have been killed and 1,800 others injured by Israel since it began its latest onslaught against Palestinians in the Gaza strip on July 8.