Israeli Offensive Against Hamas Militants Continues Into Tenth Day

The Israeli offensive against Hamas militants in Gaza is continuing into a tenth day with troops, tanks and air strikes in the  Palestinian territory.

Palestinian medical officials say at least five people have been killed in separate attacks in and around Gaza city Monday.
The Palestinian doctors say more than 500 people have died in nearly ten days of Israeli air strikes and the recent ground offensive, which began late Saturday. Israel reports one soldier has been killed and 30 injured.

Hamas has continued rocket attacks against southern Israel that the offensive into Gaza was designed to stop.

A Hamas official says the Islamist group was planning to send a delegation to Egypt Monday to, in his words,  "answer an Egyptian invitation to hold discussions" on the latest violence.

Israel has said it will continue the assault until a solution is reached that will provide long-term peace and end cross-border rocket fire.

Israel said its tanks, aircraft and naval vessels continue to attack militant targets, including rocket-launching sites and smuggling tunnels.

Hamas militants fired more than 30 rockets into southern Israel Sunday.

Israel has prevented foreign journalists from entering Gaza to cover the military campaign.

Israeli President Shimon Peres said Sunday the Jewish state does not want to reoccupy the Gaza Strip, but only to stop Hamas's rocket fire into Israel.

Chief Palestinian Negotiator Saeb Erakat said the humanitarian conditions in Gaza are too dire and that Israeli attacks must stop.