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Important Notice DEBKAfile's two sites in English and Hebrew came under a massive cyber attack on our servers at the moment Israeli ground forces crossed into the Gaza Strip Saturday night, Jan. 3. The attackers tried and failed to block and replace our content. We are doing our utmost to restore service as quickly as possible and return to full operation.DEBKAfile thanks our many visitors for their patience. January 4, 2009, 1:30 PM (GMT+02:00)

Israel embarks on ground operation in Gaza, first exchange of fire DEBKAfile Special Report January 3, 2009, 10:40 PM (GMT+02:00) Israel ground forces invade Gaza Saturday night, Jan 3 - Day 8 of Israel's Gaza operation, Israel launched its tank and armored infantry invasion of the Gaza Strip. Arab sources report crossings at several points. Hamas leader Mussa Abu Marzuk said Israeli forces have reached the outskirts of Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza. Israeli military spokesman defined the goals of the operation, commanded by Maj. Gen. Yoav Galant, as securing Hamas' rocket launching sites and breaking Hamas' military wing. Tens of thousands of reservists have been called up. The IDF bombed Jihad Islami headquarters in Gaza. During the day, dozens of Hamas rockets smashed buildings in Netivot, Sderot and Ashdod.  More... Day 8 of Gaza campaign: Bush clears way for Israeli ground operation, updates Obama DEBKAfile Exclusive Report January 3, 2009, 10:36 AM (GMT+02:00) Final preparations by Israeli troops DEBKAfile's Washington source report that in a telephone conversation with prime minister Ehud Olmert, US president George W. Bush okayed Israeli air, sea and ground operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. He promised the US would veto a resolution condemning Israel at the UN Security Council meeting next Monday. Early Saturday morning, Jan. 3, Day 8 of Israel's Gaza operation, US and British media described the Israeli invasion as hours away. In a radio address, Bush indicated that a monitoring mechanism in placeto control smuggling would provide the exit point for Israel's Gaza operation. DEBKAfile's military sources list 9 pointers to an imminent Israeli incursion:  More...