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Gaza shelling by Israel 'most intense', dozens reported killed Gaza shelling by Israel 'most intense', dozens reported killed
(35 minutes later)
Gaza has come under the most intense shelling since the launch of Israel's offensive, with more than 40 people reported killed in one area overnight. Gaza has come under the most intense shelling since the launch of Israel's offensive, with more than 50 people reported killed in one district.
The deaths occurred in Shejaiya, east of Gaza City, Palestinian medics said. Eyewitnesses spoke of bodies lying in the streets. The deaths occurred at Shejaiya, east of Gaza City, Palestinian medics said. Eyewitnesses spoke of bodies lying in the streets.
Israel earlier said it had expanded its operation - launched 13 days ago - against Hamas militants.Israel earlier said it had expanded its operation - launched 13 days ago - against Hamas militants.
But it later said it agreed to a two-hour humanitarian truce in Shejaiya. A few hours later, it agreed to a two-hour humanitarian truce in Shejaiya.
The ceasefire would last from 13:30 to 15:30 local time (10:30-12:30 GMT), an Israeli military spokesman said. The move was in response to a request by the International Committee of the Red Cross. The ceasefire would last from 13:30 to 15:30 local time (10:30-12:30 GMT), an Israeli military spokesman said.
But the death toll continued to rise at the weekend, with the number of Palestinians killed now 395 since the operation began, according to Palestinian health officials. But a BBC team on the ground reported an exchange of fire less than an hour after the truce began.
The death toll continued to rise at the weekend, with the number of Palestinians killed now more than 400 since the operation began, according to Palestinian health officials.
The majority of those killed are civilians, the UN says.The majority of those killed are civilians, the UN says.
In other developments:In other developments:
Scenes of panicScenes of panic
More than 40 people died in the north-eastern district of Shejaiya in a heavy bombardment overnight, the Palestinian medics said. More than 50 people died in the north-eastern district of Shejaiya in a heavy bombardment which began overnight, the Palestinian medics said.
Ambulances were unable to reach much of the area because of shelling in the area, about three kilometres (1.2 miles) away from Gaza City.Ambulances were unable to reach much of the area because of shelling in the area, about three kilometres (1.2 miles) away from Gaza City.
The BBC's Yolande Knell, in Gaza City, says there have been scenes of panic with thousands of residents fleeing the area - on foot or piling into the backs of cars. The BBC's Yolande Knell, in Gaza City, says there have been scenes of panic with thousands of residents fleeing the area.
At the scene: Paul Adams in ShejaiyaAt the scene: Paul Adams in Shejaiya
When we arrived at the edge of the neighbourhood, Palestinians were still fleeing in their hundreds: carrying nothing but their children, some pausing to vent their anger in front of cameras.When we arrived at the edge of the neighbourhood, Palestinians were still fleeing in their hundreds: carrying nothing but their children, some pausing to vent their anger in front of cameras.
They spoke of bodies lying in the street and the wreckage of buildings, including a mosque.They spoke of bodies lying in the street and the wreckage of buildings, including a mosque.
After a night of ferocious bombardment, they seem traumatised and stunned. For three days, Israel had warned them to leave their homes, but Shejaiya is home to 80,000 people. Most stayed put, not expecting the ferocity of last night's bombardment.After a night of ferocious bombardment, they seem traumatised and stunned. For three days, Israel had warned them to leave their homes, but Shejaiya is home to 80,000 people. Most stayed put, not expecting the ferocity of last night's bombardment.
One man, his eyes glassy, said his father had been killed. He didn't know where other family members were or even if they were alive.One man, his eyes glassy, said his father had been killed. He didn't know where other family members were or even if they were alive.
An elderly woman, in traditional Palestinian costume, raised her arms to the sky and asked how God could let this happen.An elderly woman, in traditional Palestinian costume, raised her arms to the sky and asked how God could let this happen.
A handicapped girl winced as she was lifted into the back of a pickup truck.A handicapped girl winced as she was lifted into the back of a pickup truck.
And all the time, more and more civilians emerged from Shejaiya.And all the time, more and more civilians emerged from Shejaiya.
Meanwhile, Hamas militants have continued to fire rockets into Israel.
Five Israeli soldiers and two Israeli civilians have died since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched the military offensive on 8 July.Five Israeli soldiers and two Israeli civilians have died since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched the military offensive on 8 July.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) sent ground troops into Gaza on Thursday after 10 days of heavy air and naval barrages failed to stop rocket fire from Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) sent ground troops into Gaza on Thursday after days of heavy air and naval barrages failed to stop rocket fire from Gaza.
'Restoring security''Restoring security'
Israel says the ground operation is necessary to target Hamas tunnel networks, which it says it could not do from the air alone. Israel says the operation is necessary to target Hamas tunnel networks, which it says it could not do from the air alone.
Two Israeli soldiers were killed on Saturday during a gunfight with Palestinian militants who had used tunnels to cross into Israel to launch an attack, the IDF said. Lt Col Peter Lerner, an IDF spokesman, said the offensive was being expanded "to restore security and stability to Israel's residents and citizens".
Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner, an IDF spokesman, said the ground offensive was being expanded "to restore security and stability to Israel's residents and citizens".
Residents in Gaza reported hearing explosions throughout the night on Saturday.
An air strike in Shejaiya targeted the house of Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, killing four people including his son and daughter-in-law, Palestinian doctors said.
Meanwhile, the UN warned it was running out of supplies to help more than 50,000 Palestinians who have sought shelter at its schools in Gaza.Meanwhile, the UN warned it was running out of supplies to help more than 50,000 Palestinians who have sought shelter at its schools in Gaza.
A UN official said the number of people fleeing was much higher than expected, with both the Israeli and Egyptian borders closed to Gazans.A UN official said the number of people fleeing was much higher than expected, with both the Israeli and Egyptian borders closed to Gazans.
Diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire involving, among others, Egypt, Qatar, France and the UN, have failed to make any progress.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius met Mr Netanyahu on Saturday, but said that attempts to agree a ceasefire had failed.
Qatar is expected to host a meeting between President Abbas and Ban Ki-moon on Sunday before the UN chief continues on to Kuwait, Egypt, Israel, the Palestinian Territories and Jordan.Qatar is expected to host a meeting between President Abbas and Ban Ki-moon on Sunday before the UN chief continues on to Kuwait, Egypt, Israel, the Palestinian Territories and Jordan.
Mr Abbas is also due to meet Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal in a bid to convince the Islamist group to agree to Egyptian efforts to end the fighting. Mr Abbas is also due to meet Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal.
Hamas rejected an Egypt-brokered ceasefire last week, saying any deal with Israel must include an end to a blockade of Gaza.Hamas rejected an Egypt-brokered ceasefire last week, saying any deal with Israel must include an end to a blockade of Gaza.
Are you in the area affected? Are you or is someone you know affected by the situation? Email your comments to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject 'Gaza'.Are you in the area affected? Are you or is someone you know affected by the situation? Email your comments to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject 'Gaza'.