The Israeli prime minister says that the military campaign against Gaza will continue until the objectives set by the regime are met. Premier Ehud Olmert described the past four days of aerial strikes on the Gaza Strip as just the "first stage out of a series of measures that the cabinet has approved," Jerusalem Post reported Tuesday.
"We expect more difficult days ahead which will test civilians' endurance," he added.
Tel Aviv launched an "all-out war" against the costal region early Saturday and snubbed several international calls for a ceasefire with Hamas.
Thus far, the attacks have left at least 385 people killed and another 1,800 wounded.
While Tel Aviv had launched the military campaign with motto of 'self defense', it later said that the war was aimed at toppling the democratically elected Hamas government in Gaza.
"The goal of the operation is to topple Hamas," said Deputy Prime Minister Haim Ramon, adding that "We will stop fire immediately if someone takes the responsibility of this government, anyone but Hamas."
The operation also aims "to strike a severe blow to Hamas…in order to bring about an end to firing and other operations against Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers," said Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak.
Meanwhile the military deployed thousands of troops along the Gaza border, raising concerns over an imminent ground incursion into the region.
Hamas in retaliation fired several rockets into southern Israel on Tuesday. The mortar shells have so far left 6 Israelis dead and 16 others wounded.
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Topic: Israel: Gaza attack still in early stages (Read 376 times)