IDF confirms large operation in Gaza

A spokesman of Israel Defense Force confirmed on Wednesday morning that the IDF is conducting a large operation in Beit Hanoun, in northern part of the Gaza Stripe.

The spokesman told Xinhua that over 20 Palestinian militants have been hit during both the air raids launched by the IAF and the gunbattles erupted between IDF infantry men and Palestinian militants when IDF enter the area.

The spokesman said he did not know how many Palestinians were killed during the aforesaid operations, neither did the spokesman revealed the numbers of IDF troops and military vehicles that were mobilized in the operation, saying he was not authorized to give these information.

However, the spokesman confirmed that gunbattles between IDF troops and Palestinian militants are continuing.

The spokesman said the aim of the operation is to crackdown the militants that kept launching Qassam rockets attacks at Israel from the area, saying that during the past three months, more than 300 Qassam rockets have been launched from the area.

He also noted that the operation is one of the largest scales since the IDF had launched operation Summer Rain which was aimed at bringing back Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier kidnapped by Palestinian militants on June 25.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Monday that Israel would expand its military offensives against Hamas militants in Gaza.

Olmert told a meeting of the Knesset (parliament) that Israel " has to act and will act against Hamas fire in Gaza."

The prime minister added that Israel would expand operations, but won't aim at a prolonged, permanent stay.

However the IDF spokesman was reluctant to tell that IDF's on- going operation is of any connection with Olmert's remarks.

On Monday, a senior Israeli military officer revealed that over the last three months, 300 Hamas activists have been killed during operation carried out by IDF in Gaza.

Source: Xinhua