Israel Launches Gaza GROUND, SEA and AIR Operation

Yaakov Lappin : Jul 17, 2014
Jerusalem Post

PM Netanyahu says the purpose of the mission is to destroy terror tunnels and seriously harm the infrastructure of Hamas and other terrorist organizations in Gaza.

JERUSALEM POST Report: IDF ground forces began to move into the Gaza Strip on Thursday evening, the prime minister's office confirmed. (Photo via Israel National News)

The purpose of the operation was to destroy the Gazan terror tunnels leading to Israel, according to a statement released by the prime minister's office.

"Israel is committed to act to protect its citizens. The operation will continue until its goals are reached: To bring quiet to the citizens of Israel for a long period of time, and to seriously harm Hamas and other terrorist organizations' infrastructure in the Gaza Strip," the statement read.

Prior to the commencement of the ground invasion, the IDF launched a massive wave of combined air and artillery strikes on Thursday night. The IDF said that the operation will involve infantry, engineering corps, and tank units combined with air force and naval support and intelligence.