Wednesday, June 28 2006 11:08 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Gaza: Israeli troops entered the southern Gaza Strip, starting a broad ground operation early Wednesday, following the abduction of an Israeli soldier by Palestinian militants.

The Israeli army has confirmed the start of the offensive, code-named 'Summer Rain', adding that the military operation is aimed to secure the return of the kidnapped soldier.

It is the first major ground offensive by the Israeli army since Israel withdrew troops and soldiers from the entire Gaza Strip last summer after 38 years of occupation.

Witnesses said that Israeli tanks were moving into the Rafah town, adding that loud blasts were heard.

Earlier, Palestinian security forces said that the Israeli army demanded Palestinian security forces to withdraw from the key Rafah crossing on the southern Gaza border.

Around midnight Tuesday, Israeli air strikes destroyed three bridges linking the north and the south of Gaza in a bid to prevent Palestinian militants from moving the abducted Israeli soldier.

The only power plant in the Gaza Strip was also hit by missiles, which led to a blackout in most areas of the coastal strip. The 19-year-old Israeli Corporal, Gilad Shalit, was abducted by Palestinian militants who mounted a deadly attack on an Israeli army post near the Gaza border Sunday.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has turned down demands by the Palestinian militants to set free Palestinian women and minors jailed by Israel in exchange for information on the abducted soldier.

Two Israeli soldiers were killed and four wounded in the predawn Sunday attack. Two Palestinian militants were also shot dead in the gun battle with Israeli forces.

Israel has vowed retaliation for the cross-border assault.