As well as airstrikes up and down the length of the Strip, one of the most densely populated areas on earth, artillery barrages and tank shells streaked through the gathering gloom, each bringing its own wave of destruction (pictured, left). Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured, right) said Israel was fighting its ‘second war of independence’ and it would be a ‘long war’. At least 100 fighter-bombers attacked around 150 underground targets. Israel Defence Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari again warned civilians in northern Gaza to evacuate without delay. A power, internet and mobile phone outage was the most significant signal that the ground invasion had begun. At the same time, Israeli special forces assaulted the port of Gaza City. Hamas defiantly fired salvo after salvo of rockets at Israel.
