The Israeli army on Thursday called up additional 18000 reservists following the start of a ground operation into the Gaza Strip.
"Following the approval of the government of Israel, the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] will call up an additional 18,000 reservists," the army said on Twitter.
The Israeli government has already called up 56000 troops for the military operation in the blockaded Palestinian territory.
On Thursday, the Israeli army launched a ground operation into the Gaza Strip following ten days of relentless airstrikes on the enclave.
At least 240 Palestinians have been killed and more than 1770 injured in relentless aerial bombing across the Gaza Strip, while only one Israeli has died in rocket fire.
Israel's military operation, dubbed "Operation Protective Edge," is the self-proclaimed Jewish state's third major offensive against the embattled Gaza Strip – home to some 1.8 million Palestinians – in the last six years.
By Abdel-Raouf Arnaout
englishnews@aa.com.tr
www.aa.com.tr/en
