GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - A Hamas strongman in Gaza is urging
Palestinians to "crush" the invading Israeli forces and to target
Israeli civilians.
Mahmoud Zahar said in a grainy video broadcast on Hamas TV that
the Israelis "have legitimized the killing of their children by
killing our children."
With Israeli troops dug in on the edges of Gaza City, a health
official in Gaza says civilian casualties have spiked since the
ground campaign began on Saturday. The official says at least 70
civilians have been killed since then.
Militants continue to defy the attacks, shooting 20 rockets at
Israel by mid-day.
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak says the offensive will
continue until Israel achieves "peace and tranquility" for
residents of southern Israel.