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NICK PARKER
Israel’s fight against terrorist butchers Hamas in Gaza is still prelude to savage symphony yet to come
THE deafening drumbeat of war filled the air on the Gaza frontline today as the terrorist butchers of Hamas faced a final showdown.
Huge formations of Israeli tanks and artillery batteries opened fire incessantly as ground forces prepared to storm fortified lairs.
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We watched 155mm self-propelled howitzer field guns and Merkava tanks blasting salvos deep into the besieged coastal strip every 20 to 30 seconds.
But this was merely the prelude to a savage symphony to come within days when brutal face-to-face combat begins.
And the apprehension etched on the fresh faces of young Israeli soldiers here laid bare the price many of them are about to pay.
Preparations for the ground assault appeared to be entering their final stages as we drove to an undisclosed location south of the southern town of Sderot.
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Convoys of transporters ferrying tanks, armoured personnel carriers and troops rumbled along Highway Six from Tel Aviv while 100,000 troops and 300,000 reservists mustered to join up with their units.
And we passed traffic jams built up for miles as the government confirmed the town’s immediate evacuation.
Motorway bridges were adorned with flags and banners carrying the words: “We’re behind you” and “We will win this together” in Hebrew.
Children waving blue and white Star of David flags gathered at traffic light crossings and lined the route to cheer troops on their way.
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Other youngsters carried collecting buckets to take donations from drivers to buy snacks and treats for soldiers’ kit bags.
But the colourful procession quickly melted away as we reached the tense town of Sderot.
This is the most rocketed place on Earth, just a mile from Gaza.
We were greeted by wailing sirens, distant booms and the smoky smell of conflict.
Just three hours earlier at least 50 more Hamas missiles had rained down, injuring two locals. Further attacks were expected.
We pressed on along virtually deserted streets, past bomb shelters and an empty playground, to an Israeli army cordon.
A series of enormous explosions sent us scurrying for body armour — before we learned the blasts were from Israeli artillery nearby.
An army veteran told us: “This is the easy bit, where we try to soften them up before we go in.
“But sooner or later we’re going to have to get our hands dirty. You can’t help feeling for the Israeli kids who will have to go in there.
“However, they know this country is now in a fight for its very existence. This is a war we now have to win.”
Innocent people trapped alongside terrorist targets in Gaza will also bear the brunt of this seemingly endless cycle of tragedy.
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Plumes of black smoke poured from the territory where water and power have been cut off — and where Red Crescent aid staff said food supplies will begin running out on Saturday.
Israeli commanders revealed tonight that 6,000 bombs containing a staggering 4,000 tonnes of explosive had been dropped on Gaza, with more to follow.
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Tonight Israeli Defence Forces Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi told the nation: “The slaughter of our children, our women, our people by Hamas was animalistic and inhumane.
“The IDF under my command understands the magnitude of the hour and the magnitude of the task placed on our shoulders.”
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