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Fears Growing of Ground Assault in Gaza

by Tina Kells | January 1, 2009 at 10:03 pm

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Fears are growing that Israel is preparing for a ground assault in Gaza after a senior Hamas official, Nizar Rayyan, was killed New Year's Day in an air strike over the embattled region.

The announcement that Israel will be briefly opening the Erez border to allow foreigners to leave the battle zone has prompted the speculation.

Nizar Rayyan and some members of his family were killed in the New Year's Day assault on Gaza.

Rayyan had been an outspoken supporter of suicide bombings and was a coveted Israeli target. Fears are mounting that his death may have galvanized the Israeli campaign.

Speculation is mounting that Israel is preparing to step up its assault on Gaza with a ground invasion, after it announced it would briefly open Erez border crossing to allow around 440 foreign residents to leave the territory.
Early Friday saw continuing raids on targets in Gaza, a day after the Israeli army began clearing landmines along the border in apparent preparation for a possible ground offensive.

Tanks, armoured vehicles and troops have been massing along the border for several days.

With the Israeli offensive on Gaza entering its seventh day, the death toll now stands at at least 420 dead with more than 2,100 injured.

In response Hamas fighters launched more than 20 rockets into southern Israel on Thursday, some landing as far as the port city of Ashdod, more than 30km from Gaza.

No Israeli casualties were reported.