Operation Cast Lead has been brought to a whole new level. The Israeli Defense Forces has begun shelling northern Gaza following a drop of pamphlets warning Gazans in the region to leave immediately. The artillery has reportedly been aimed at locations where Palestinian rockets had been fired from.

Warplanes, gunboats and artillery units blasted more than 40 Hamas targets throughout Saturday, including weapons storage facilities, training centers and Hamas leaders’ homes.

Air strikes that had waned during the day gathered pace after dark. One raid hit a mosque in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya, killing 14 people and wounding 33, seven critically, according to a Palestinian health official.

Could we be close to a ground-based offensive? Quite possibly. Times Online has been reporting since yesterday that an invasion is imminent, while Israeli armor has been building-up on the border. Indeed, the Jerusalem Post reports:

Israeli defense officials said some 10,000 troops, including tank, artillery and special operations units, were massed on the Gaza border and prepared to invade. They said top commanders were split over whether to send in ground forces, in part because such an operation could lead to heavy casualties but also because they believed Hamas already had been dealt a heavy blow. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were classified discussions.

Basically it’s still wait-and-see at this point.

Via Hot Air Headlines.