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epa01587078 Israeli farmoured forces deploy on the Gaza border with Israel, 29 December 2008. After three days of massive airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, Israel was readying on 29 Deceber to widen its offensive against Hamas by sending in ground forces. The toll of Operation "Cast Lead" - launched 27 December to curb rocket and mortar attacks from the strip - meanwhile reached at least
345 Palestinian dead and 1,600 injured, Gaza emergency services chief
Muawia Hassanein said. Two Israelis have also been killed and dozens
injured. Large columns of tanks, military vehicles and buses with Israeli
soldiers on board meanwhile have moved southwards, deploying near the
Israeli border with Gaza in what could indicate a possible impending
ground invasion, witnesses said. EPA/Pavel Wolberg