Israel seals off Gaza periphery to journalists

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel ordered journalists out of areas abutting the Gaza Strip border on Monday, declaring a "closed military zone" there as an offensive in the Hamas-ruled coastal territory entered its third day.

An Israeli military spokesman cited the risk of retaliatory Palestinian rocket fire for the measure, which was being enforced in a buffer zone of 2km to 4km (1-2 miles) from Gaza.

But keeping the international media away from vantage points could help Israel maintain an element of surprise should it mount a ground assault. Such Israeli closures generally apply to civilians who do not live in the area being sealed off.

(Editing by Katie Nguyen)