Israeli government has approved the call-up of tens of thousands of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reservists, local daily Ha'aretz reported Saturday.
A statement issued by Israeli Prime Minister's office was quoted as saying that in accordance with a secret cabinet discussion Friday, the government ordered the armed forces "to draft the necessary reservists, on a scale of tens of thousands of troops."
The move came almost simultaneously with the launch of a ground incursion in the Gaza Strip aimed at stopping rocket fire on southern Israel.
Earlier, an IDF spokesman confirmed to Xinhua that the IDF Saturday evening began its ground incursion in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
The Cast Lead operation starting last Saturday is now entering its second stage, said the spokesman, adding that the purpose of the operation is to destroy "terror infrastructure of Hamas".
IDF troops has now entered Gaza, he said, adding that the operation will last as long as necessary.
Source:Xinhua
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