Israel assaults Gaza by land, air and sea on 2nd day of escalated raids

John Yang:

Good evening, I'm John Yang. In Gaza tonight residents say they're experiencing the most intense bombardment of Israel's three-week old war and Hamas, the air and sea assault is supporting Israeli tanks and infantry carrying out increased ground raids. And Israeli spokesman says they're targeting Hamas squads in northern Gaza that have fired rockets and Israel.

A virtual communications blackout means the only information is coming from official statements from both sides. The Israeli military says it hasn't suffered any new casualties. The Hamas run Gaza health ministry says that more than 7,700 Palestinians have died in the war so far, though, we don't know how many of those are Hamas fighters.

And tonight, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Israelis that the fighting which he called the Second War of Independence would be long and difficult. Our report is from Leila Molana-Allen in Israel.

Leila Molana-Allen:

On Saturday, dense smoke rising from airstrikes filled Gaza skyline as Israel and today to have escalated ground raids. The Israel Defense Forces released video of what it said what its tanks entering the Gaza Strip. In a press conference, Israeli officials called it a new phase of the war, but did not define it as a full-fledged ground invasion.

Yaov Gallatan, Defense Minister, Israel (through translator):

In the past day, we have taken a step forward and set such powerful fire against the enemy but it made the ground shake. This was like nothing Hamas has ever experienced before

Leila Molana-Allen:

The Israeli side of the border remained heavily fortified.

We were here on the border with Gaza last night as the Israeli Defense Forces announced they were sending more ground troops in. They've confirmed this morning that they did attack Gaza last night, from the air, from land and from the sea, accessing it from three points the Northeast and the northeastern corner just behind me.

This morning that operation is still ongoing. And we can hear the sound of artillery fire coming from positions spread all across the border.

In a new video, the IDF issued another warning for Gazans in the north to leave.

Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, Israeli Military Spokesperson:

For your immediate safety, we urge all residents of Northern Gaza and Gaza City to temporarily relocate south.

Leila Molana-Allen:

But airstrikes have cut off internet and phone signal in Gaza. And Arabic not English is the main language for most Palestinians living in Gaza. Palestinians in the West Bank, criticize the blackout.

Idrees Zahdeh, Hebron Resident (through translator):

People can't even call each other and tell each other what is going on. Why are you censoring the media? Show us what you are doing? Why are you not showing the children that you killed? Why do you kill women?

Leila Molana-Allen:

Some Israelis also criticize the increased attacks Ilan Zecharia nice Eden then is among the Hamas hostages at a gathering in Tel Aviv. He worries she and the other captives might become collateral damage.

Ilan Zecharia, Uncle of Eden: We know the situation that if we put too much military pressure we could be hit our own people. They could start butchering our people because of that.

Leila Molana-Allen:

Outside the region, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had harsh words for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a pro Palestinian rally.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish President (through translator):

Just as Netanyahu was a terrorist, the opposition says Hamas is a terrorist organization as well. Shame on you.

Leila Molana-Allen:

Netanyahu said Israel held the moral high ground.

Benjamin Netanyahu (through translator):

This kidnapping was a crime against humanity. Those who are accusing our soldiers of war crimes are hypocrites and liars. They have no morality left.

Leila Molana-Allen:

In response to Erdgoan, Israel's Foreign Minister ordered the withdrawal of its diplomats from Turkey. In New York City Friday, activists with the group Jewish Voice for Peace demonstrated at Grand Central Station calling for a ceasefire, the group said the NYPD arrested hundreds of protesters.

And those Jewish peace activists as well as so many others now calling for a ceasefire because of what we're seeing in Gaza. Particularly last night as Israeli ground operations intensified that suddenly the phone and internet signal went out.

One of Gaza's main phone companies sent a text message to its customers saying we're so sorry, our towers are down. There's nothing we can do. We are losing connection now. So people in Gaza, voiceless through the night, as they were under these intense bombardments, people were unable to call ambulances. And we've heard this morning that ambulance drivers were standing at high points throughout trying to see where the explosions were. So they could just drive directly there.

People unable to communicate with their families to see if they're all right, people this morning saying we've been digging children out of the rubble with our bare hands because we can't call the help.

Gazans now are completely voiceless. They are unable to speak out as they are under some of the most intense bombardment we've ever seen. And even though they're still being told to move to the south, in fact, most people can't get to the South because they have no fuel for their cars. They can't travel and even in the south bombardment continues. John.

John Yang:

Leila Molana-Allen in Tel Aviv tonight. Thank you very much.