A LONG & HARD FIGHT

>> Army poised for full-scale Gaza invasion >> Fresh fears for civilians as crisis worsens

- ANDY LINES

FEARS were last night growing for the safety of Palestinian civilians as Israel warned a ground attack to destroy Hamas would be a long affair.

With Gaza cut off from all communications, electricity and water, forces pounded the strip from land sea and air as it was poised for a full-scale invasion.

Residents of Gaza City were ordered to urgently move south.

Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant said last night it will take a long time and be a hard battle.

Israel Defence Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari added: "In addition to the attacks we carried out in recent days, ground forces are expanding their activity this evening. The IDF is acting with great force to achieve the objectives of the war."

Troops launched a smash-andgrab operation with tanks which moved in and out of Gaza early yesterday morning. From the border in Sderot, the Mirror yesterday watched a huge bombardment of northern Gaza. A series of massive explosions turned the sky orange.

In one three-minute period, I counted 11 huge blasts.