Israeli Military Says Ground Forces'Expanding' Activity in Gaza

The Israeli military said it will be "expanding itsactivity" in Gaza following two small raids into theterritory this week ahead of its expected groundinvasion.

"In addition to the attacks that we carried out in recentdays, ground forces are expanding their activity thisevening" Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman RearAdm. Daniel Hagari said Friday. "The IDF is acting withgreat force to achieve the objectives of the war."

Hagari said activity is focused on destroying Hamastunnel complexes near the border with Israel and othertargets.

Hundreds of thousands of Israeli soldiers stand readyto invade the 240 square-mile Gaza Strip when calledupon, The Associated Press reported.

The Israeli military has hinted at a ground invasion forweeks amid its war with Hamas, which began earlythis month after 1,400 Israelis were killed in a surpriseHamas attack, most of them civilians.

The resulting Israeli airstrikes on Gaza have leveledneighborhoods and killed more than 7,000Palestinians, including more than 2,900 children,according to the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry.

The war has resulted in a wide-scale humanitariancrisis in Gaza, leaving more than a million peopledisplaced and food, water, fuel and medical suppliesdwindling.