Special report: Israel launches Gaza assault

    JERUSALEM, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Israel Defense Forces (IDF) tanks crossed into Gaza in order to protect the Erez Crossing, which connects Israel and the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, the army said on Tuesday.

    An IDF spokesman said to Xinhua on Tuesday that the tanks entered Gaza to protect the crossing, but would not take actions against Hamas or protect the Palestinian civilians.

    Meanwhile, according to a Ha'aretz report, Magen David Adom ambulances on Tuesday crossed into the Palestinian side of Erez Crossing to evacuate 15 casualties from Monday's shooting incident at the crossing.

    One Palestinian was killed Monday evening and at least 10 others were injured when a gunman attacked a group of Palestinian civilians waiting for permission to cross into Israel near the Erez Crossing.

    The casualties were set to be taken to Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon. IDF tanks accompanied the ambulances and entered several hundred meters inside Gaza, the report said.

    Earlier in the day, IDF did not allow MDA medics to rescue wounded Palestinians into Israel at the Erez Crossing, concerning that the Palestinians would take the chance to infiltrate into Israel, local media said.

    According to the army, there are currently some 150 Palestinian civilians at Erez Crossing. The number, which stood at 300 until several days ago, dropped after many of them realized they would not be able to enter Israel and returned to the Strip.