By Boaz Eshtai Video producer in Israel

At the southern end of the Gaza Strip we spent one day with a professional soldier, 21-year-old Second Lieutenant Nati Mazuz.

We began filming at midnight.

Click here to watch 2 minute clip
Click here if you are a UK broadband user

0100
An Israeli border outpost reports it has been attacked by Palestinian anti-tank missiles. Nati mobilises the forces and orders retaliation.

0345
An unidentified Palestinian has crossed the security fence. Nati leads the emergency team as they check the base perimeter.

0530
We are told an Israeli helicopter had just launched three missiles, killing the Hamas leader, Sheikh Ahmed Yasin.

0630
The loudspeakers on the mosques in the nearby Palestinian villages break the silence. We can't understand the words, but the tone is dramatic and mournful. We join Nati on a drive to visit some of the outposts.

A short visit to the first outpost is followed by a narrow escape from an anti-tank missile, which would probably have killed us on the spot.

The first vehicle in the patrol is hit by an anti-tank missile, but continues

At the second outpost, we interview Nati's commander. Suddenly, we are being hit by mortars. Two explosions are followed by Palestinian sniper bullets.

Sunset
We are at the western part of the Philadelphi Line, a dirt road parallel to the border of Egypt and Israel, that also divides the town of Rafah. Palestinians are digging tunnels that connect Egyptian Rafah and Palestinian Rafah.

Through these tunnels, weapons and ammunition are smuggled daily into the Gaza Strip. The biggest challenge for the Israelis is to discover and destroy as many tunnels as possible.

We join an Israeli armoured patrol sent to check the route. The first vehicle in the patrol is hit by an anti-tank missile, but continues. Then the scout sees a 10ft-wide hole in the ground and suspects it is a tunnel pear.

Nati and two other officers start digging. A low concrete wall and several tanks shield this small force from attack.

Our day ends and we get a ride back to base. From the distance, we can still see the lights of the soldiers digging in the midst of the Rafah chaos.

One Day of War was broadcast in the UK on Thursday, 27 May, 2004 at 2100 BST on BBC Two.