US backs Israeli plans for Gaza ground invasion

Israeli planes and ships pounded Gaza on Saturday as the deadly assault entered its second week and the world anticipated a ground offensive that Hamas' leader promised would result in a "black destiny" for the Jewish State.

As the humanitarian condition in the densely-populated territory severely deteriorated, the United States gave its ally free rein to push on with a ground offensive, insisting that the key to a ceasefire is Israel's demand for Hamas to permanently halt rocket fire.

"I think any steps they are taking, whether it's from the air or on the ground or anything of that nature, are part and parcel of the same operation," said White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe, adding it was up to Israel to decide.

President George W. Bush urged all able parties to press Hamas to stop firing on Israel to facilitate a lasting ceasefire.

"The United States is leading diplomatic efforts to achieve a meaningful ceasefire that is fully respected," Bush said in his weekly Saturday radio address, the text of which was released late on Friday.

"This recent outburst of violence was instigated by Hamas -- a Palestinian terrorist group supported by Iran and Syria that calls for Israel's destruction," Bush said.

Israel has carried out more than 700 strikes on Gaza since it launched the massive assault "Operation Cast Lead," killing at least 435 Palestinians and injuring almost 2, 000.

This recent outburst of violence was instigated by Hamas -- a Palestinian terrorist group supported by Iran and Syria that calls for Israel's destruction

Bush

Ground invasion

On the ground, Israeli tanks and troops stood ready along the 60 kilometer (37 mile) border with Gaza, waiting for the government's green light.

Hamas's Syrian-based chief Khaled Meshaal told Israel that "if you commit the stupidity of launching a ground offensive then a black destiny awaits you."

"You will soon find out that Gaza is the wrath of God," Meshaal said in pre-taped remarks.

Warplanes and navy ships carried out strikes overnight, hitting homes of senior Hamas figures and several of the group's coastal posts, the army said.

The overnight air strike killed Abu Zakaria al-Jamal, a senior leader of Hamas's armed wing, the Islamist group said. The Israeli army said only that it carried out a series of air attacks throughout the night.

Hamas also said its fighters had repelled a patrol of Israeli troops trying to cross the border into the strip early Saturday.

A spokesman for the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades told AFP that fighters spotted an unspecified number of forces trying to enter the Shijaiyah border neighborhood of eastern Gaza City at around 1 a.m. (2300 GMT Friday). Israel denied the claims.

If you commit the stupidity of launching a ground offensive then a black destiny awaits you...You will soon find out that Gaza is the wrath of God

Hamas supremo warns Israel

Children continued to fall victim to Israel's assault in one of the world's most densely-populated places.

On Friday, an Israeli airstrike killed three boys when it slammed into a house in southern Gaza while a 12-year-old girl died of her wounds after her home was bombed.