Israeli Military Takes Aim at Palestinian Targets in Gaza
ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Our top story tonight, Israel, Israel's deepest incursion into Gaza City in two years and its deadly consequences. Tonight, the Israeli military took aim at Palestinian targets the Israelis suspect were being used to build weapons. Palestinians say at least 12 people were killed in the process. Tonight's violence occurs just three days before a potentially pivotal Israeli election. CNN's Kelly Wallace is in Tel Aviv. She joins us now with more on the violent outbreak. Kelly, what's the latest?</s>KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, the latest, Anderson, Palestinian sources telling us that Israeli tanks and bulldozers started pulling out of Gaza City within the last hour. Palestinian sources saying this was really the biggest, most massive Israeli military operation in Gaza City in more than two years. Both sides reporting a massive exchange of gunfire. Again, Anderson, as you said, at least 12 Palestinians killed according to Palestinian sources. At least 45 injured, this after dozens of Israeli tanks and bulldozers backed up by Apache helicopters moved into a neighborhood in Gaza City. Now the Israelis say this operation was in response to Palestinian rocket attacks against an Israeli town on Friday and Palestinian mortar attacks against a Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip on Saturday. No people, though, were killed in those attacks. These operations, though, coming just a day after another military operation by the Israelis in the Gaza Strip on Friday. And again, just days before Israelis go to the polls to elect a new prime minister. Palestinian cabinet minister Saeb Erekat is condemning the operation and is questioning Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon's motives. He tells CNN "It is obvious that Prime Minister Sharon wants to end the election campaign with more Palestinian and destruction." Erekat goes on to say that the international community should pressure Israel to withdraw from the Gaza Strip. Now an Israeli government official telling me that Erekat's comments are "total and complete rubbish." This official saying these actions by the Israelis are purely defensive. This official saying if the Palestinian leaders would stop Palestinian attacks against Israelis, the Israelis would not have to be in the Gaza Strip -- Anderson.</s>COOPER: Kelly, what are we expecting to see in these elections on Tuesday?</s>WALLACE: Well, all accounts are that the Likud Party, headed by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, will win. And really, Anderson, security is turning out to be the dominant issue here. And most analysts believe that this latest violence that has been flaring up over the past few days is likely to help Prime Minister Sharon because many Israelis are likely to stick with the status quo as opposed to going to Sharon's challenger, Amram Mitzna, the Labor Party leader, who is calling for something very controversial right now: immediate negotiations with the Palestinians even under fire -- Anderson.</s>COOPER: All right, Kelly Wallace live in Jerusalem. Thanks very much. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com