Israel appears closer to ground maneuver

Source: Xinhua | 12-30-2008 07:53

SDEROT, Israel, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Monday continued gearing up for a possible ground operation in the Gaza Strip, declaring the border area as a "closed military zone."

An Israeli soldier stands on the hood of a military vehicle near the border with the Gaza Strip Dec. 28, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Out of what the army said was security concerns, journalists were no longer allowed to approach the border on the Israeli side, where the IDF has reinforced its presence with infantry troops and armored units, apparently in preparations for a widely speculated ground incursion following the ongoing deadly airstrikes at the Hamas-ruled area.

"Our offensive now is solely airborne, and we are doing assessment all the time. We will carry out a ground operation if our assessment shows it is necessary," IDF spokesperson Captain Elie Isaacson told Xinhua at this southern Israeli town, while refusing to reveal how many troops have been deployed along the border.

Admitting that all the previous Gaza operations failed to stop Palestinian militants from firing rockets at Israel, Isaacson stressed that Israel this time would not put down the hatchet until quiet is restored to the borderland.