SDEROT, Israel (CBS) - The border clash between Israel and Hamas is three days old and getting more violent. Israel offered a three hour truce this morning, but militants in the Gaza Strip answered with a barrage of missiles including another attack on Tel Aviv.
As dawn broke the extent of the ground forces massing along the border made it clear Israel is preparing for a possible incursion. Over 16,000 reservists have already been called up.
The last invasion was four years ago and analysts say Hamas will be better prepared this time.
Israeli war planes hit Hamas positions in Gaza throughout last night, but it did little to stop the rocket fire that in at least two cases almost reached Tel Aviv, gun boats were also in action.
By more or less mutual accord the shooting tapered off shortly after an official Egyptian delegation arrived in Gaza.
Prime Minister Hisham Qandil's unprecedented trip was officially to lend moral support to Hamas which Egypt's Islamist government supports, but he was accompanied by officials who were involved in brokering a truce in the last Gaza fighting, in hopes of doing the same again.
A sophisticated anti- missile defense system that includes both Israeli developed weaponry and American patriot missiles intercepted several hundred projectiles fired from Gaza, but by the law of averages some got through.
This family was surveying the damage to their home when fear of a further another attack sent everyone running for shelter.
Civilians are being hit in Gaza too with at least a dozen casualties including six children reported so far
Three hour Egyptian mission offered little bit of hope for either side. Qandil called the fighting a tragedy and said he would spare no effort to achieve a truce.