Israel' military chief said on Tuesday that his army would press ahead with the ongoing operation in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
"We have made many achievements in damaging Hamas and its infrastructure, its regime and its military wing, but there is still much to be done," local news service Ynet quoted Chief of General Staff Gabi Ashkenazi.
Lauding the "extraordinary job" of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the lieutenant general said the troops "are working to deepen the blow to the (Hamas) military wing, to minimize the attacks and strengthen deterrence, in order to truly create a better security reality for the residents of the south that are under threat of fire."
The military chief made the remarks at a parliamentary committee in charge of foreign affairs and defense on the 18th day of the Israeli offensive, dubbed Operation Cast Lead, which has killed over 900 people in the Palestinian enclave. Thirteen have died on the Israeli side.
The IDF on Tuesday moved deeper into Gaza City and were engaged in fierce fighting with Palestinian militants in the streets in the densely populated urban center, as Israeli bombardment and Palestinian rocket fire continued.
About a dozen Israeli soldiers were injured in the overnight battle, with one in critical condition. Four of them were reportedly injured in a friendly fire incident, days after four were killed in similar incidents.
The IDF has begun sending reservists into Gaza, who would take over areas cleared out by regular troops and thus enable the latter to push the front further forward. The move is widely seen as a signal for a repeatedly mentioned escalation of the Israeli onslaught.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Sunday the IDF was nearing the goals set for the operation, while "further patience, determination and effort" were required "so that our citizens can feel safety and stability."
A top Israeli defense official is expected to pay his second visit to Cairo in the coming days, following a trip last week, for talks with Egyptian officials over a possible truce. He said that the Egyptian efforts have allowed a ceasefire to be within reach.
Olmert has stressed that his nation must ensure an end to both anti-Israel rocket fire from and weaponry smuggling into the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip before accepting any ceasefire.
Source: Xinhua
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