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Slideshow: Israeli troops invade Gaza Play Video Video: Israel tightens grip on Gaza City Reuters Play Video Video: Israel students brave the rockets Reuters Reuters – People look at the bodies of Palestinians killed during Israel's offensive, at Shifa hospital in Gaza … GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – Israeli ground troops battled Palestinian militants in the streets of a densely populated Gaza City neighborhood early Tuesday, destroying dozens of homes and sending terrified residents running for cover as gunfire and explosions echoed in the distance.

Israel's push into Tel Hawwa neighborhood was the farthest it has moved into Gaza City during its 18-day offensive against Hamas militants, and brought Israel's ground forces within a mile of the crowded city center. Palestinian hospital officials say more than 900 Palestinians, half of them civilians, have been killed.

Israel launched the offensive on Dec. 27 to end years of Palestinian rocket attacks on its southern towns, and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has vowed to press forward with an "iron fist," despite growing international calls for an end to the fighting. U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon was headed to the region Tuesday to press for a cease-fire.

Palestinian witnesses said the Israeli forces moved overnight about 300 yards into Tel Hawwa, a neighborhood of high-rise buildings on the

Slideshow: Israeli troops invade Gaza Play Video Video: Israel tightens grip on Gaza City Reuters Play Video Video: Israel students brave the rockets Reuters Reuters – People look at the bodies of Palestinians killed during Israel's offensive, at Shifa hospital in Gaza … GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip – Israeli ground troops battled Palestinian militants in the streets of a densely populated Gaza City neighborhood early Tuesday, destroying dozens of homes and sending terrified residents running for cover as gunfire and explosions echoed in the distance.

Israel's push into Tel Hawwa neighborhood was the farthest it has...