Israeli troops enter Gaza
Updated on 03 January 2009
Israeli defence sources confirm that their ground forces have crossed the border and invaded the Gaza Strip.
Eye-witnesses have described seeing Israeli tanks on the move in Gaza, some reported to be firing.
This comes after a major Israeli artillery barrage opened up during the late afternoon for the first time in their week-long assault against Hamas positions.
And there was more anger after the Israelis bombed a mosque at prayer time killing 13 people, including two boys and wounding dozens of others.
The attacks came as President Bush used his weekly radio address to blame Hamas for the war.
But one Hamas leader in exile has warned of a "black destiny" for Israel if it begins a ground assault in Gaza.
Israeli forces entered the northern Gaza Strip near Beit Lahiya.
Earlier one person died when the privately run American school there was bombed. Hamas fighters have continued to fire rockets from Gaza into Israel, hitting homes in the towns of Ashkelon and Ashdod, slightly injuring several people.
Israel has banned foreign journalists from Gaza.
Alex Thomson is joined by the human rights advocate, Bianca Jagger, who attended today's London demo and by Israel's deputy ambassador to Britain, Talya Lador-Fresher.
