Israel starts ground offensive in Gaza

Israeli soldiers ride army jeeps near Sufa, outside the southern Gaza Strip July 17, 2014. Photo: Reuters

The Israeli military has begun a ground offensive against Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.

View of an explosion following an Israeli strike in Gaza City pic.twitter.com/1Rr5aEvSUt

— Agence France-Presse (@AFP) July 17, 2014

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they were extending their 10-day-old Operation Protective Edge.

After ten days of cross border war, Israeli PM Netanyahu orders ground offensive in #Gaza: http://t.co/p4V2eaKnYG pic.twitter.com/EL1SfR98Ca

— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) July 17, 2014

They said it was in response to continued militant rocket fire and to strike a "significant blow to Hamas", which controls Gaza.

Hamas spokesman: Israel "will pay a heavy price" for ground operation in Gaza. http://t.co/YlNjJV77ei

— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) July 17, 2014

There was a five-hour humanitarian truce on Thursday but exchanges of fire resumed when it ended.

Some 230 Palestinians and one Israeli have died during the Operation Protective Edge period.

Tunnels

In a statement, the IDF said: "Following 10 days of Hamas attacks by land, air and sea, and after repeated rejections of offers to de-escalate the situation, the IDF has initiated a ground operation within the Gaza Strip."