GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert stood within Hamas rocket range Monday and warned Islamic militants that they face an “iron fist” unless they agree to Israeli terms for an end to war in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas showed no signs of wavering, however, with its leader, Ismail Haniyeh, saying the militants were “closer to victory.”
Despite the tough words, Egypt said it was making slow progress in brokering a truce, and special Mideast envoy Tony Blair said elements were in place for a cease-fire.
Fighting picked up early today as Israeli forces, backed by artillery and naval shelling, advanced closer to Gaza City from the south, witnesses said.
The fighting began Dec. 27 and has killed more than 900 Palestinians, about half of them civilians, according to Palestinian medical officials. Thirteen Israelis, including 10 soldiers, have been killed.
As diplomats struggled for traction in truce efforts, Olmert said Israel would only end military operations if Hamas stops rocketing Israel and is unable to rearm after combat subsides.
Inside Gaza, an Israeli commander identified only as Lt. Col. Yehuda said troops had not met significant resistance.
At least 20 Palestinians died Monday, some of them from wounds suffered on previous days, Gaza health officials said.
The Israeli military said four soldiers were injured, one seriously, in what an initial inquiry concluded was a “friendly fire” incident in northern Gaza.
Israel has sent reserve units into Gaza to help thousands of ground forces already in the territory, and fighting has persisted despite a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a cease-fire. Israeli Defense Ministry official Amos Gilad planned to travel today to Egypt for talks.
In Paris, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said European military observers should be sent to Gaza to monitor any eventual cease-fire.
With Israeli troops surrounding Gaza’s main population centers, Israeli leaders have said the operation is close to achieving its goals. Security officials say they have killed hundreds of Hamas fighters, including top commanders, but there has been no way to confirm the claims.
Aid agencies said they have resumed relief operations in Gaza, but fighting still prevents them from evacuating the sickest people and reaching all those who need help.
As many 88 percent of Gaza’s residents now require food aid, up from 80 percent before the war, said Helene Gayle, president of the international aid agency CARE. The three-hour lull in fighting that Israel allows for humanitarian aid to move around Gaza is not sufficient, she said.
