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Israelis Destroy Hamas Tunnels

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The New York Times

Published: January 6, 2009

ON THE ISRAEL-GAZA BORDER - Israeli troops commandeered high-rise buildings in three eastern districts of Gaza City on Monday, expelling residents and shooting militants in the streets in its furious effort to break Hamas' fighting ability as European diplomats poured into the region seeking a cease-fire.

The 10th day of Israel's war on the Islamist rulers of Gaza also killed more civilians, including about 12 children, and strained fuel and water supplies for hundreds of thousands.

Israeli planes destroyed dozens of smuggler tunnels in the south, and Hamas fired some 25 rockets into Israel, one of which crashed into an empty kindergarten in the city of Ashdod, littering the floor with dolls and shrapnel.

Israel and Hamas spoke defiantly of victory. Phones in Gaza homes rang repeatedly with recorded Israeli military messages saying, "We are getting rid of Hamas."

That goes beyond the stated goals of Israel's top leaders, who have emphasized that the operation is intended to stop Hamas from firing rockets into Israel.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said after a meeting with officials from the Czech Republic, Sweden and France that Israel would "change the equation" in the region.
Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar, speaking in a recorded speech, said: "They shelled everyone in Gaza. They shelled children and hospitals and mosques, and in doing so, they gave us legitimacy to strike them in the same way."

Palestinian medical officials estimated the total death toll reached 550. Israel said three soldiers were killed by friendly fire.

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