The operation came after 10 days of
intense fighting between Israel and the Islamic militant Hamas, in which
Israel hit more than 2,000 targets in Gaza and Hamas launched nearly
1,500 rockets at Israel.
The army said the offensive is meant to strike a ‘‘significant blow to Hamas’ terror infrastructure.’’
It did not say how many troops were involved or provide other details.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu’s office said he instructed the army to go ahead after Hamas
rejected an Egyptian cease-fire plan earlier in the week and after Hamas
militants tried to infiltrate into Israel through a tunnel from Gaza
earlier Thursday.
‘‘In light of the despicable and
relentless aggression by Hamas and the dangerous infiltration into
Israel, Israel is obliged to protect its citizens,’’ the statement said.
Source Boston.com