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Israel Enters Gaza by Land

Special forces of the Israeli army entered the Gaza Strip on Tuesday morning killing four Islamic Jihad members. This is the first time the Israeli army has entered Gaza by land since Israel withdrew troops and civilians from the Gaza Strip last summer.  Palestinian officials say several bystanders were injured.
 
Israeli soldiers moved into Beit Lahia, in the north of the strip. The Israeli army said the aim of the operation was to hit cells planning to launch Qassam missiles onto Israeli communities.  At the same time, an Israeli helicopter targeted other armed groups in the area.
 
Dozens of Qassam missiles have been fired from the strip onto Israeli communities near Gaza since the withdrawal. Most of the rockets have landed in open fields, due to the inaccuracy of these missiles, but residents have expressed concern over the threat to both life and property.
 
Besides the operation in Gaza, the army said 23 wanted terrorists were arrested in the West Bank overnight.