Israel Steps Up Attacks to Halt Palestinian Rockets - New York Times

Israel Steps Up Attacks to Halt Palestinian Rockets - New York Times: "JERUSALEM, Oct. 14 — The Israeli military killed seven Palestinian militants in fighting Saturday as tanks and other armored vehicles rolled into areas east of Gaza City in a stepped-up effort to halt Palestinian rocket fire.

Backed by helicopters and pilotless planes, Israeli troops have staged ground operations in eastern Gaza in the last three days, killing 20 Palestinians and wounding about 30. Most of the dead were Hamas militants who were targets of airstrikes, but several civilians also died.

The incursion appears to be yet another in a series of periodic escalations since an Israeli soldier was seized on June 25 and Israeli forces, which withdrew from the territory last year, moved back into Gaza.

The Israelis have concentrated their forces in open areas in the southeast corner of Gaza over the last several months. They have carried out frequent offensives, and since Thursday have been moving into more populated areas, looking for smuggling tunnels and trying to stop the rocket fire, the military says." Read complete post here.