Israel Reinforces Gaza, Bush Supports Israel

Israel steps up pressure on day 17 of the Gaza invasion as international diplomatic efforts carry on and the US reiterates its support of Israel.

Hello I’m Charlotte Bellis and you’re watching newsy.com

Israel pounded Hamas targets on Monday.  

Airstrikes targeted Rafah in the south with the Israeli navy shelling Gaza City in the north.  

We’re following coverage from France 24, ITN, and NBC News.

In response to continued Hamas shelling of southern Israel, the Israelis stepped up their operation, deploying reservists into Gaza on Sunday.

France 24 provides an overview…

 “The seventeenth day of the Israeli assault in Gaza and fighting shows no signs of letting up.  Witnesses reported clashes between Israeli troops and Hamas militants on Monday after Israel deployed reserve troops in and around the Gaza Strip from the south of Israel on Sunday night.  Israeli navy boats also fired more than twenty-five shells at Gaza City in yet another slight to the international calls for ceasefire.  Military action that suggests the conflict could be intensifying.” (France 24)

ITN has more on the situation.

Israel appears committed to crushing Hamas and, despite the mounting death and suffering in Gaza, continues to pursue its aims toward that end.

 “Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is getting closer to achieving its goals in Gaza, but he along with other Israeli leaders are still considering advancing further into the territory to destroy more Hamas tunnels.  Army reservists are going to battle in the Gaza Strip as well for the first time, they were being bussed south towards Gaza on Sunday.  Nearly nine hundred Palestinians have been killed in this conflict with thousands more left wounded and homeless.” (ITN)

NBC and other sources covered President Bush’s last news conference Monday morning - in which he reiterated the U.S. view…

 “I’m for a sustainable ceasefire, and a definition of a sustainable cease fire is that Hamas stop firing rockets into Israel.”

 “We believe that the best way to ensure that there is sustainable cease-fire is to work with Egypt to stop the smuggling of arms into the Gaza that enables Hamas to continue to fire rockets.” (NBC)

So will Hamas submit to Israel and US demands to halt their rocket fire?  Can Israel achieve a lasting peace in Gaza through the use of force?  Please check out our sources and let us know your thoughts on the situation.