Israel deepens Gaza push to destroy Hamas tunnels

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) - Israeli troops pushed deeper into Gaza today to destroy rocket launching sites and tunnels, firing volleys of tank shells and clashing with Palestinian fighters in a high-stakes ground offensive meant to weaken the enclave's Hamas rulers. Israel launched the operation late Thursday, following a 10-day campaign of more than 2,000 air strikes against Gaza that had failed to halt relentless Hamas rocket fire on Israeli cities.