INSTANT VIEW-Israeli troops move into Gaza
REUTERS
Reuters North American News Service
Jan 03, 2009 15:26 EST
LONDON, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Israel launched a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip on Saturday after a week-long air campaign against Hamas over the firing of rockets into the Jewish state.
The Palestinian death toll, before tanks moved in, reached nearly 450. Gaza rocket attacks have killed four Israelis.
Following are comments from politicians and commentators:
MAJOR AVITAL LEIBOVITCH, ISRAELI MILITARY SPOKESWOMAN:
"The objective is to destroy the Hamas terror infrastructure in the area of operations."
HAMAS OFFICIAL ISMAIL RADWAN:
"We have prepared the statement of victory for you (Palestinians) ... and you will see it soon."
Addressing Israeli soldiers, he said: "Gaza will not be a picnic. Gaza will be a graveyard for you."
BROOKE ANDERSON, OBAMA'S NATIONAL SECURITY SPOKESWOMAN:
"The President-elect is closely monitoring global events, including the situation in Gaza. There is one president at a time, and we intend to respect that."
CZECH EU PRESIDENCY SPOKESMAN JIRI POTUZNIK:
"At the moment, from the perspective of the last days, we understand this step as a defensive, not offensive, action." (Writing by Sami Aboudi; editing by Elizabeth Piper)
