Israeli tanks and helicopter gunships have invaded the Gaza Strip for the first time since withdrawing ten months ago. Israel says it’s launched the raid to recover captured soldier Gilad Shalit. Shalit was seized in a Palestinian operation on Sunday. The raid began after Israel rejected Shalit’s captors demand for the release of all Palestinian females and Palestinians below the age of eighteen in Israeli prisons. Israel opened the attack with a series of air strikes on three bridges and Gaza’s main power station. The attack left the power station in flames and knocked out electricity in most of Gaza City. Palestinian militants have reportedly taken up defensive positions around Gaza — setting the stage for a potential firefight with the invading soldiers.