Israel aims to cripple Hamas, warn other foes: experts ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Agence France Presse (AFP) January 3, 2009 - 1:00am Israel has thousands of troops massed for a ground offensive on Gaza that would aim to deal a hammer blow to Hamas and re-establish Israel's military credentials with its other foes, experts said. After Israel's 2006 war in Lebanon, widely condemned as a fiasco, this campaign has been scrupulously prepared and few experts believe Hamas can halt the waiting army. The number of troops and tanks along the 60 kilometre (37 mile) border is a military secret but Israeli leaders say the force is ready and local media say the assault is imminent. » Read more

'Critical emergency' after air strike every 20 minutes ATFP World Press Roundup Article from The Guardian by Rory McCarthy - January 3, 2009 - 1:00am for the Middle East, blamed the conflict on "the irresponsibility of Hamas rocket attacks and the excessiveness of Israel's response". He said a ceasefire was needed to halt the violence but added: "We must create new conditions on the ground to ensure this does not happen again." » Read more

Israel kills third Hamas leader since start of Gaza offensive ATFP World Press Roundup Article from Haaretz by Amos Harel, Yoav Stern - January 3, 2009 - 1:00am Israel Air Force warplanes stepped up airstrikes on the northern Gaza Strip on Saturday, bombing more than 40 Hamas targets over the course of the day and killing the third senior Hamas official since Israel's aerial assault began last Saturday. Abu Zakaria al-Jamal, a commander of the Hamas armed wing, died of wounds sustained in an airstrike overnight. On Saturday morning, Israel Radio quoted a spokesman for the Hamas military wing as saying it had repelled an attempt by Israel Defense Forces soldiers to infiltrate the Shajaiyeh section of Gaza City. » Read more