Israeli military operations in area near Gaza border
(26 Dec 2008) SHOTLIST Nahal Oz area, Israeli Gaza border, South Israel 1. Wide of armoured vehicle driving by border, Gaza City in background 2. Israeli solider getting out of armoured vehicle parked on border 3. Troops using tyres to make it easier for armoured vehicle to cross muddy area 4. Various of armoured vehicles on the move Sufa area, Israeli Gaza border, South Israel 5. Various of tanks parked on border, plastic chair in front of middle tank 6. Various of troops cleaning and maintaining weapons 7. Soldier working on parked tank 8. Rifles poked into fencing 9. Solider at work in back of armoured vehicle 10. Soldiers unpacking items from truck 11. Armoured vehicle on move STORYLINE Israeli tanks and troops continued manoeuvres on the border with Hamas-controlled Gaza on Friday, as speculation mounted over a possible military offensive. A rise in militant rocket attacks in recent days has increased public pressure on the Israeli government for action. The Egypt mediated six-month cease-fire between Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers expired last week and Egypt is hoping to renew it. Analysts believe Israel would hold its fire if Gaza militants do, while Hamas would accept a new truce if Israel meets several demands, chiefly fully opening Gaza's border crossings. But alongside talk of restoring the truce, Israel continues to prepare for a large-scale military campaign against Gaza. Israeli leaders have approved such an operation, but are reluctant to press ahead with a campaign likely to exact heavy casualties on both sides. Past incursions have not halted the rocket attacks, and Israeli defence and political officials said they fear anything short of a reoccupation of Gaza would fail to achieve the desired results. The ceasefire began to unravel over the past month after Israel launched air strikes and a ground raid on November 4, killing six Hamas gunmen. The Israeli army claimed at the time that it had uncovered a tunnel intended for immediate use to abduct Israeli soldiers into the Gaza Strip. Palestinian militants have since fired numerous rockets and mortar shells at Israel and the Israeli army has carried out further airstrikes and ground operations in Gaza. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
