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IDF officer critically hurt in Gaza; 6 other soldiers wounded By Haaretz Staff An Israel Defense Forces officer was critically wounded yesterday in Gaza as Israeli ground troops battled Palestinian militants in the streets of a densely populated Gaza City neighborhood. Israel's push into the Tel Hawwa neighborhood was the furthest it has moved into Gaza City during an 18-day offensive against Hamas militants, bringing IDF ground forces within 1.5 kilometers of the crowded city center. Advertisement Second Lieutenant Aharon Karov, who serves with the IDF paratroopers brigade, was critically wounded by an explosion in a booby-trapped house during which another soldier sustained moderate wounds. Another five soldiers were lightly wounded during battles in Gaza, and taken to hospital for treatment. Karov, 22, of Karnei Shomron, sustained head wounds in the explosion. He was married two days before being injured and was transitioning between his service in the standing army to a path in the career army. Meanwhile, Palestinian medical officials reported that at least 18 gunmen and three civilians were killed in fighting between Hamas and Israel yesterday. The army said troops had killed about 30 gunmen in the coastal territory overnight. The Israel Air Force bombed more than 50 targets across the Gaza Strip yesterday, including 30 smuggling tunnels. Also yesterday, IDF infantry, tanks, combat engineers, artillery and intelligence units continued to operate overnight against Hamas targets throughout the Gaza Strip, the army said. During the operations, IDF troops engaged approximately 15 squads of armed gunmen. Militants opened fire at IDF troops from the courtyard of a mosque, according to the army, after which the soldiers returned fire. Two rigged tunnels located near the security fence were uncovered by soldiers in the northern Gaza Strip, the army said, and troops fired at three gunmen and seized a large amount of arms in the area. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert sent a message on Monday to a number of world leaders indicating that Israel wants to see a diplomatic move through Egypt that would lead to a cessation of arms-smuggling into Gaza before the Operation Cast Lead enters its third phase. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Following Chavez Bolivia cuts ties with Israel, says it seeks war crimes charges. Who needs the Knesset? Arab parties: We'll establish an alternative Arab parliament.

Read & React Olmert ignoring calls from Barak, Livni for immediate Gaza truce Responses: 71 Harel & Issacharoff: Is Hamas waiting on Obama for Gaza truce? Responses: 27 Hamas: We accept Egypt's proposal for Gaza truce - with reservations Responses: 44 Diplomats: Gaza op causing long-term harm to Israel's image Responses: 88 Israel's defense establishment backs an immediate cease-fire in Gaza Responses: 46 More Headlines 23:28 Hamas: We accept Egypt's proposal for Gaza truce - with reservations 00:09 ANALYSIS / Egypt's Gaza truce plan is mostly bad for Hamas 00:46 IDF soldier seriously hurt in anti-tank missile attack in Gaza 23:34 Hamas Health Ministry: More than 1,000 dead in Gaza 00:06 Rice: Olmert's claims regarding my Gaza UN resolution vote are 'fiction' 21:11 Arab parties: We'll establish an alternative Arab parliament 23:48 U.S. authorities remove 'Adolf Hitler,' 2 siblings with Nazi-like names from family home 23:48 For the first time, Gaza militants fire phosphorus shell at Israel 00:28 Author: Report of jihadist death threats to Madonna old news 23:23 Feminist group slams former envoy to UN Gillerman for 'tasteless' jokes about women 19:36 Bolivia cuts ties with Israel, seeks genocide charges against Israeli officials 17:21 3 rockets fired from Lebanon hit north Israel; IDF returns fire 19:58 Four people hurt as fire rages at Ashdod chemical plant 16:53 Israel indicts two Iran TV journalists for reporting on Gaza ground invasion Previous Editions Select Day 14 jan 13 jan 12 jan 11 jan 09 jan 08 jan 07 jan 06 jan 05 jan 04 jan 02 jan 01 jan

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