Israeli tanks enter northern Gaza

Palestinian witnesses are reporting tonight that Israeli troops and tanks have entered northern Gaza near Beit Hanoun. Earlier today, other troops crossed into southern Gaza and the area was hit repeatedly by air strikes.

Israel has been massing forces along the border and is promising a massive retaliatory attack if one of its soldiers, abducted by militants, is not released.

Four cabinet ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Nasser al-Shaher, are said to have been taken into custody by Israel during today's actions.

The following news release was issued today by the Canada-Israel Committee:

************************* CIC comments on Israeli rescue operation in Gaza OTTAWA, June 28 - Speaking on behalf of Canadian Jewry and Canada's pro-Israel community, Canada-Israel Committee National Chair Marc Gold expressed the fervent hope that Israel's rescue operation currently underway in Gaza will lead to the safe return of abducted IDF Corporal, 19 year-old Gilad Shalit. Mr.Gold remarked that the IDF operation is both limited in scope and precise in its objectives. "Israel did not leave Gaza simply to return a year later. This operation is about the noble effort to rescue a hostage taken from within the boundaries of the State of Israel, to prevent the Hamas kidnappers from smuggling the victim out of the area and to fulfill the responsibility of all governments to reduce and eliminate a chronic, terrorist threat. "Since Israel's withdrawal last year, Gaza has become the base of unremitting terrorist attacks directed against Israeli civilian targets and population centres. The situation has become untenable and in the absence of any efforts by the Palestinian authorities to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure - as required by the Roadmap - Israel has no choice but to address the threat directly." Mr. Gold added that, "the Palestinian Authority, including the Hamas government and President Mahmoud Abbas, must accept full responsibility for the failure to eliminate the terror network and for facilitating violence directed against Israelis."

Mr. Gold also expressed the appreciation of the Jewish community for the position adopted by the Canadian government.

Canada has demonstrated its support for Israel's right to defend itself against a constant threat of terror and has displayed sympathetic understanding for the efforts to rescue Gilad Shalit.

*********************