Israel Intensifies Attacks on Gaza Despite Diplomatic Efforts for Cease-Fire

Israel says it has inflicted serious damage on Hamas' military infrastructure but it says much more work remains to be done before it stops its offensive in Gaza. There are no signs of a let-up in the conflict, despite diplomatic efforts.

Gunfire rings in the Gaza Strip for yet another day.

Residents inside the enclave say the pre-dawn hours of Tuesday saw some of the most intense fighting since the start of the Israeli offensive 18 days ago. Israeli ground troops pushed deeper into Gaza City, pounding targets with artillery and tank fire, and what Israeli officials say were 60 air strikes between Monday and Tuesday.

Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi says Israeli forces have hit Hamas hard, but he says the offensive will continue until Israel's goals are achieved. Ashkenazi says Israeli forces have inflicted damage on Hamas including its infrastructure, its government institutions and its military wing. But he says there is still much work ahead. He says his forces are working to inflict further damage on the military infrastructure and to limit the rocket fire into Israel.

The Israeli aim is to end Hamas' ability to fire rockets at its civilians in southern Israel. Tuesday, militants fired more rockets shortly after sunrise.Both sides say they are willing to consider a cease-fire, but not until their goals are achieved.

Ismail Haniyeh, appeared on television from a hideout on Monday. He said victory is at hand for Hamas, but said he is ready to negotiate a cease-fire if Israeli forces pull out of Gaza and end a blockade of its borders.Haniyeh says Hamas officials are working in diplomatic channels and are receptive toward any initiative to stop the aggression against the people in Gaza. He also says the Israeli forces should be removed immediately from Gaza and he says the border crossings should be re-opened. Palestinian medical officials say the casualties have now surpassed 900, and the humanitarian situation continues to worsen. The head of the international Red Cross entered Gaza on Tuesday. At least 13 Israelis have died in the fighting. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon is due in the region on Wednesday, to give cease-fire efforts yet another push.

Iran Urges States to cut diplomatic ties with Israel

TEHRAN, Jan. 13 2009 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said Tuesday that Iran has called on world states, Arab and Islamic countries in particular, to cut their diplomatic ties with Israel to show their support for Palestinians.

Mottaki made the remarks on the sidelines of a bell-ringing ceremony at one of Tehran's schools held as a symbolic move to show support of Iranian students for their fellow students in GazaStrip, the official IRNA news agency reported.

Referring to the expulsion of Israel's ambassadors from Mauritania and Venezuela, Mottaki said other countries could do likewise as a pressure lever on Israel.

A headquarters has been established at Iran's Foreign Ministry to coordinate measures made by various Iranian ministries and organizations, including Ministry of Health and the Red Crescent Society, to support and help the people of Gaza, Mottaki said.

Palestinian medics said Monday that over 900 people had been killed and more than 4,100 others wounded, around half of them are civilians, since the beginning of Israel's military offensive on Gaza Strip on Dec. 27.