Israeli troops surround Gaza city

WATCH VIDEO

One Israeli soldier was killed on Sunday, the first Israeli death since the ground offensive began.

Israeli artillery fires from the Israeli-Gaza border. (AFP/Jack Guez)

Israel's Prime Minister defended his country's actions, saying it had no choice but to attack the Gaza Strip.

Ehud Olmert, Israeli Prime Minister, said, "The ground operation is part of the overall operation and is meant to establish our desire to change the security situation in the south."

Hamas, however, is showing no signs of softening its stance. It threatened to resume suicide attacks inside Israel.

Hamed Bitawi, Hamas Spokesman, said, "We predict that, God willing, Gaza will become a graveyard for the Israeli army. The Israelis might be successful, with their airplanes and tanks and bombardments, but they can never break the will and strength of the Palestinian people."

The death toll in Gaza has now surpassed 500. The UN says among these, over a hundred were civilians.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei