The "pillar of cloud" may fall to the ground

Israeli tanks are grouped on the border with the Gaza Strip, reports the BBC . About 30 thousand reservists have already been mobilized . In the event of a full-scale ground operation, up to 75 thousand soldiers could be called up. “The army is ready for any scenario,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a cabinet meeting, stressing that Israel could launch a ground operation if Hamas does not cease fire.

Search and rescue work at the site of the destroyed house of a Hamas member.

On Sunday night, the Israeli army moved into the second phase of Operation Pillar of Cloud and attacked Hamas launch sites and command center from both land and sea. Rockets were also fired at the sports and media center. As a result of the attack, several people died , including four children, several dozen were injured, including eight journalists, one of whom had his leg amputated by doctors. In total, since the beginning of the operation, about 1,000 shells have been fired into the Gaza Strip, killing at least 58 Palestinians, including 13 children , and injuring more than 560 people. Israel's losses, at which Hamas fired at least 500 rockets, were three killed and about 70 wounded.

Ruins of the office building of Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in Gaza.

Hamas' military wing has announced the successful use of an improved type of rocket that is now capable of reaching Tel Aviv. The cities of Ashdod, Ashkelon, Kiryat Malachi, and Gan Yavne are also in the shelling zone. "Pillar of Cloud" was Israel's response to constant rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip. Despite the fact that Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi turned to Hamas with a request for a ceasefire, the Palestinian side has not yet made concessions. However, some Palestinian officials are obviously inclined to conclude a truce with Israel and prevent a ground operation.

Transportation to Ashdod of elements of the Iron Dome system, designed to intercept short-range missiles and artillery shells.

International reaction to a possible ground war is extremely mixed. Thus, US President Barack Obama unequivocally supported Israel: “No country on earth will tolerate missiles raining down on its citizens from neighboring territory. We fully support Israel’s right to self-defense.” At the same time, British Foreign Secretary William Hug said in an interview with Sky News that if Israel decides to carry out a ground operation, it will lose the international support that is currently being provided to it by other countries. The speaker of the Iranian parliament, Ali Larijani, called on the Islamic states of the region to assist the Palestinians in the fight against Israel.

Israeli tanks on the border with the Gaza Strip.

Egypt took over mediation in resolving the conflict, while, as Israeli President Shimon Peres noted in an interview with Sky News , while President Mohamed Morsi failed to achieve success: “We highly appreciate the efforts of the Egyptian President for a ceasefire. But so far, As you know, Hamas also rejects Egypt's proposals. Our main goal is peace. Their goal is to destroy Israel."

A boy with a toy rifle at a rally in support of Palestinians outside the UN office in Beirut.

To discuss the situation in the Gaza Strip, UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon and representatives of the League of Arab States are scheduled to visit Egypt. Their visit is scheduled for Tuesday.

A Palestinian is mourning his one-and-a-half-year-old daughter and three-year-old son who died on Sunday.