Reports emerge from Gaza about the tactical situation.
According to sources, resistance from Hamas fighters was initially almost entirely absent, but has slowly grown after the initial incursion.
IDF tanks control the high ground throughout the IDF’s operational area.
Thus far, the IDF has avoided the densely populated areas of the Strip, but troops are set to begin searching the outskirts of urban areas for tunnels, a stage of the operation that may bring soldiers into greater contact with Hamas fighters and vulnerable Gaza civilians.
IDF spokesman Brig. Gen. Moti Almoz has little to report on the first IDF casualty of the fighting, Sgt. Eitan Barak, 20, of Herzliya: “The circumstances of the incident are being checked. As soon as we know, we will publish the results.”
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From the Liveblog of
Friday, July 18, 2014
