The Israeli armed forces have expanded their military operations in the Gaza Strip, sending tanks and troops into the area across the northern border July 3. An Israeli armored column entered from the south a week earlier. Tel Aviv claims the invasion is aimed at recovering an Israeli soldier who was taken prisoner in a June 25 raid inside Israel carried out by the military wing of Hamas, the governing party of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), and two other armed Palestinian groups. The Israeli assault has received WashingtonÂ’s support. The attacks so far have focused on key civilian infrastructure in the densely populated area, home to 1.3 million Palestinians. Israeli air strikes destroyed the only power plant in the territory, and Tel Aviv cut off the only fuel pipeline into Gaza. About half of the residents are without electricity. The majority of GazaÂ’s water wells rely on electrical pumps.
According to a United Nations report, Israeli air force jets have been flying at supersonic speeds low over Gaza City at around 4 a.m. daily since the assault began, setting off sonic booms that break windows and terrorize the population. Three key bridges linking northern and southern Gaza have been destroyed by aerial bombing and all roads, border outposts, and ports have been sealed.