GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Terrified residents ran for cover Tuesday in a densely populated neighborhood of Gaza City as Israeli troops backed by tanks thrust deeper into the city and sought Hamas fighters in alleyways and cellars.
On the diplomatic front, Egyptian mediators pushed Hamas to accept a truce proposal and, in a hopeful sign, Israel sent its lead negotiator to Cairo for “decisive” talks on a cease-fire.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon also headed for the region to join diplomatic efforts.
Israeli military officials say that depending on what happens with what they described as “decisive” talks in Cairo, Israel will move closer to a cease-fire or widen its offensive. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing sensitive policy matters.
Asked whether Israel’s war aims had been achieved, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said: “Most of them, probably not all of them.” Israeli troops have the coastal city of 400,000 virtually surrounded as part of an offensive launched Dec. 27 to end years of Palestinian rocket attacks on its southern towns.
Early today, Israeli police said three rockets fired from Lebanon landed in northern Israel. There were no reports of damage or injuries. People in northern Israel were asked to head to bomb shelters.
A short time later Lebanon said the Israeli army fired shells into southern Lebanon.
Israeli officials have expressed concern that militants in Lebanon could try to open a second front in solidarity with Gaza’s Hamas rulers.
Also today, an Israeli warplane fired a missile at the former Gaza city hall, used as a court building in recent years, witnesses said. The 1910 structure was destroyed and many stores in the market around it were badly damaged, they said.
Palestinian medical officials reported at least 42 deaths from the conflict Tuesday throughout Gaza.
The Israeli military said three soldiers were wounded, including an officer who was searching a northern Gaza house when a bomb exploded.
Palestinian hospital officials say more than 940 Palestinians, half of them civilians, have been killed in the fighting. Thirteen Israelis, 10 of them soldiers, have died.
Palestinian rocket fire has dropped significantly since the offensive was launched. About 15 rockets and mortar shells were fired toward Israel Tuesday, causing no injuries, the army said.
