Israel Maintains Offensive

Nearly 200 Palestinians died in a massive rocket attack launched by the Israeli Air Force against Hamas forces in Gaza Saturday. Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak claimed most of those killed were Hamas fighters. "The operation will go on and be intensified as long as necessary," he declared. "The battle will be long and difficult, but the time has come to act and to fight." The attacks are in response to several days of rocket and mortar attacks on Israeli lands that terrorized the populace. Hamas leaders, expecting retaliation, had already gone into hiding. The Air Force attacks destroyed Hamas security headquarters, training facilities and weapons storage areas.