Gaza news

As is often the case, Al Jazeera is a good source of news without significant spin (yes, their editorials spin like a top but I am talking about the news stories). The most recent reports out of Gaza are clear and current and present facts, not opinion playing at fact.


Fighting rages in Gaza

Heavy fighting has taken place in and around Gaza City with Palestinian fighters putting up a stiff resistance to advancing Israeli ground forces.

Large explosions and intense gun battles were reported from the Shejaiya neighbourhood late on Monday. Flares lit up the skies as Israeli helicopter gunships and fighter jets flew low over the the city.

A spokesman of the Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad movement, told Al Jazeera that Israeli tanks were trying to move into Gaza City.

He said that the group's fighters had destroyed an Israeli armoured personnel carrier in the clashes.

Al Jazeera's Ayman Mohyeldin, reporting from the Gaza Strip, said that much of the fighting took place around a high area on the outskirts of the city.

"The strategic overlook essentially gives an overview of the entire northern part of Gaza .. that's why it probably has some significance to the Israeli military," he said.

"Because of its height and elevation it has probably also been used to fire rockets into Israel."

Fierce fighting between Israeli troops and Palestinian fighters was also reported in eastern Jabliya in the northern Gaza Strip.

Full story here:

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/01/200915174731392162.html