Hamas warned of 'iron fist'

Published: Monday, Jan. 12, 2009 10:07 p.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stood within Hamas rocket range Monday and warned Islamic militants that they face an "iron fist" unless they agree to Israeli terms for an end to war in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas showed no signs of wavering, however, with its leader, Ismail Haniyeh, saying the militants were "closer to victory."

Despite the tough words, Egypt said it was making slow progress in brokering a truce, and special Mideast envoy Tony Blair said elements were in place for a cease-fire.

As Olmert spoke in the Israeli city of Ashkelon, Israeli tanks, gunboats and warplanes hammered suspected hiding places of Hamas operatives who control the poor, densely populated territory just across the border.

After nightfall, flares and explosions lit up the sky over Gaza and heavy gunfire was heard in parts of the coastal territory of 1.4 million people.

Hamas fighters battled Israeli troops on the outskirts of Gaza City and launched 15 rockets at southern Israel.

Fighting picked up early Tuesday as Israeli forces, backed by artillery and naval shelling, advanced closer to Gaza City from the south, witnesses said.

Story continues below
Khader Mussa, 35, a resident of the area under attack, told The Associated Press by telephone that he saw two apartment buildings on fire. He said he was huddling in the basement of his building with 25 other people, including his pregnant wife and his parents. "The gates of hell have opened," he said. "God help us."

Gaza's Hamas prime minister insisted on an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the opening of blockaded border crossings as part of any truce.

"As we are in the middle of this crisis, we tell our people we, God willing, are closer to victory. All the blood that is being shed will not go to waste," Haniyeh said on Hamas' Al Aqsa television. But he said the group was also pursuing a diplomatic track to end the conflict that "will not close."

Haniyeh sat at a desk in a room with a Palestinian flag and a Quran in the background. His location was unclear; Israeli airstrikes have targeted militant chiefs, and most are in hiding.

The fighting began Dec. 27 and has killed more than 900 Palestinians, about half of them civilians, according to Palestinian medical officials. Thirteen Israelis, including 10 soldiers, have been killed.

As diplomats struggled for traction in truce efforts, Olmert said Israel would only end military operations if Hamas stops rocketing Israel, as it has done for years, and is unable to rearm after combat subsides.

Recent comments

I want that gun in the picture!

Nice Gun | Jan. 13, 2009 at 7:36 p.m.

Why should Isreal open its border with Gaza if Egypt has its sealed?...

Boyd | Jan. 13, 2009 at 7:18 p.m.

I get it, Israel is frustrated. But i don't get how military action...

Anonymous | Jan. 13, 2009 at 7:15 p.m.

Image
Ariel Schalit, Associated Press

Israeli reservists rest near Israel's border with Gaza Monday as warplanes and ground troops hammer outskirts of Gaza City.

Related content
previousnext

Latest comments

TCU plows past Utes, 55-28

How did Y'all d against wyoming again?

come on now davis! you guys did great, but remember that hunter's star RB...

RSL advances to MLS Cup

If I remember correctly, MLS stands for Major League Soccer. There is no...

TCU plows past Utes, 55-28

Yewts got ran through, around, over, under....well...they just got smashed....

TCU plows past Utes, 55-28

Are Cougs fans really on here gloating? Neither team has done anything this...

RSL advances to MLS Cup

Amazing there are still cynics out there with little to do but bash. Why not...

TCU plows past Utes, 55-28

How does it feel to know if Colorado State's QB hadn't gift-wrapped three...

The Best BCS Buster EVER!

RSL advances to MLS Cup

Absolutely amazing game!!!!! You guys rock!!! No respect against CBus, you...

Utah shows some offense from the Freshman qb that BYU fans have been berating...

Advertisements
Advertisement