Israel’s calling it Operation Cast Lead, Hamas is calling it a holocaust, adding Israel’s actions amount to bloody war crimes. It’s the fourth day of Israel’s aerial attacks on Gaza as Hamas’ continues to fire rocket and mortars into Israel. According to Ma'an News, 4 Israelis have been killed, while more than 360 Gazans are dead and 1,700 injured. (Al Jazeera English)

We’re following developments of a possible Israeli ground invasion from CNN, Haaretz, Al Jazeera English, MSNBC and the Jerusalem Post.

CNN details the current situation on the ground…

“We’ve heard from the Israeli Prime Minister this is only the first stage, what’s the second stage? We’ve seen tanks amassing on the border, we know 2,000 reservists have been called up. A little earlier we saw tanks, armed personnel carriers, bulldozers, all in a line facing in the direction of Gaza, with the soldiers cleaning their equipment, cleaning their guns, waiting for the order.” (CNN)

But Israeli newspaper, Haaretz, writes in an analysis piece that Hamas is hoping for an Israeli ground operation in Gaza.

 “It [Hamas] hopes this would let it inflict such heavy losses on Israeli tanks and infantry that Israel would flee with its tail between its legs.” (Haaretz)

Al Jazeera English interviewed a Hamas spokesman in Gaza, who confirmed their fighters are prepared and ready for Israel.

“We have to defend ourselves, we have to protect our Palestinian people we have to defend our civilians who have been by all … what can we do!” (Al Jazeera English)

Even after days of battering, MSNBC believes Hamas still has the power to inflict the damages it boasts of. A correspondent in Gaza explains Israel’s aerial assaults have killed the wrong people – Hamas policeman not Hamas fighters.

 “The policeman are lightly armed and are mainly concerned with police duties, while the fighters are a much tougher bunch and they are said to include specially trained snipers and also they’re equipped with anti-tank missiles.” (MSNBC)

The Jerusalem Post has the stance that Israel doesn’t have a choice but to take Operation Cast Lead to a new level, writing if we…

“…want to destroy Hamas’s entire military capability, and even to bring down its rule…then a wide-ranging ground operation that essentially conquers all or most of Gaza is necessary.” (The Jerusalem Post)

FOX News takes a look back to the Israeli – Hezbollah war of 2006 and draws similarities to today’s situation.

 “The Israelis went into southern Lebanon and they went after these rocket launchers and they found that air power alone could not do the trick and so then they went in on the ground and they found even that could not do the trick and it was only some 33 or 35 days later where a ceasefire was reached which ended the hostilities on both sides.” (FOX News)

It appears the Israeli defense establishment is also taking lessons from the past. Haaretz writes they are recommending diplomacy to the Israeli Prime Minister, suggesting…

“…a 48-hour truce...before it becomes necessary to begin a significant ground invasion of the Gaza Strip.” (Haaretz)

Do you think an Israeli ground invasion is the best step forward? What’s your position on the conflict?

We invite to share your thoughts with us and please check out our sources.