By Robert Berger
Jerusalem
28 December 2008

Israel is pressing on with an air campaign in the Gaza Strip that has killed more than 280 Palestinians, most of them militants.

Journalists run for cover at the Egyptian border crossing, as an Israeli air strike hits along the Egyptian border with Gaza in Rafah, Egypt, 28 Dec 2008

Israeli warplanes launched fresh air strikes on Gaza targeting installations of the ruling Islamic militant group Hamas. Missiles struck police stations, weapons smuggling tunnels and the homes of Hamas commanders.

Hamas responded by firing rockets and mortars into southern Israel. Hamas now has longer range rockets, several hit near the Israeli port city of Ashdod for the first time, 23 miles from Gaza.

At the weekly Cabinet meeting in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert urged the public to be patient.

Mr. Olmert said the operation could go on a long time and the home front could endure an extended period of rocket attacks.  

A protester demonstrates against the Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, near the Israeli Embassy in Kensington, central London, 28 Dec 2008

The Cabinet also approved the call up of more than 6,500 reserve soldiers, indicating that the air assault on Gaza could be followed by a ground offensive. Infantry and armor units are already deploying on the Gaza border.

"We do not necessarily intend to conquer Gaza, but of course we are reviewing all options," said Cabinet Minister Yitzhak Herzog.

Hamas says it won't raise the white flag, and warns that if Israel enters Gaza it will pay a heavy price.

Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said all options are on the table, including rocket attacks and suicide bombings.