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Gaza City and Eshkol hit by deadly explosions Gaza City and Israel's Eshkol hit by deadly blasts
(about 2 hours later)
Gaza and southern Israel have seen an upsurge in violence despite a plea by the UN secretary general for a cessation of hostilities.Gaza and southern Israel have seen an upsurge in violence despite a plea by the UN secretary general for a cessation of hostilities.
Explosions in Gaza City reportedly killed 10 people, including children.Explosions in Gaza City reportedly killed 10 people, including children.
Palestinian militant group Hamas said it had carried out a mortar attack that reportedly killed four civilians inside Israel near the Gaza border. Israel confirmed five of its soldiers died on Monday - one inside Gaza and four in a mortar attack along the border. Five Hamas militants were also killed inside Israel, officials said.
And Israel said five Hamas militants were shot dead after entering an Israeli village from Gaza. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu warned of a "prolonged" Israeli campaign in Gaza.
"We will continue to act aggressively and responsibly until the mission is completed to protect our citizens, soldiers and children," Mr Netanyahu said.
Calling Monday a "painful day", Mr Netanyahu said Israel would not finish its operation until it had "neutralised" Hamas tunnels out of Gaza.
Fighting between Israel and Hamas has claimed more than 1,030 Palestinian lives, most of them civilian, since 8 July, when Israel launched an offensive against Hamas in Gaza after a surge in rocket fire.
On 18 July, it extended operations with a ground offensive, saying it was necessary to destroy tunnels dug by militants to infiltrate Israel.
Israel's military death toll rose to 48 with Monday's deaths. Three civilians have also died.
'Political will'
Earlier, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged an immediate halt to the violence in Gaza, saying the Palestinian territory was in a "critical condition".Earlier, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged an immediate halt to the violence in Gaza, saying the Palestinian territory was in a "critical condition".
"In the name of humanity, the violence must stop," he told reporters. Mr Ban, who spoke in New York after returning from a visit to the region, was critical of both sides for firing into civilian areas.
Israel launched an offensive against Hamas in Gaza three weeks ago after a surge in rocket fire. He said Hamas had fired missiles into civilian areas of Israel, while Israeli forces had used high-explosive weapons in the crowded Gaza Strip.
Before Monday, more than 1,030 Palestinians, mostly civilians, 43 Israeli soldiers and three civilians in Israeli had been killed. The secretary general repeated the UN's call for an immediate, unconditional humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza during the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday.
Later, the French presidency said the leaders of the United States, France, Germany, Italy and Britain - who held telephone talks - had "agreed to redouble their efforts to obtain a ceasefire. Pressure must increase to get there".
Deadly afternoon
At least 10 people - eight of them children - were killed in Monday afternoon's blasts in Gaza City, Palestinian health officials said.At least 10 people - eight of them children - were killed in Monday afternoon's blasts in Gaza City, Palestinian health officials said.
Palestinian officials say the 10 were killed by Israeli missile strikes, but Israel says the explosions were caused by rockets misfired by "terrorists".Palestinian officials say the 10 were killed by Israeli missile strikes, but Israel says the explosions were caused by rockets misfired by "terrorists".
Reports on Israeli public radio and Channel 10 television said four civilians were killed and another 10 people injured when a mortar shell hit the Eshkol district. Four Israeli soldiers were killed and another 10 injured when a mortar shell hit the Eshkol district.
The Israeli military said the five militants who died had entered Israel via a tunnel from Gaza and opened fire on Israeli troops, who returned fire. The Israeli military said the five Hamas militants who died had entered Israel via a tunnel from Gaza and opened fire on Israeli troops, who returned fire.
At the scene: Martin Patience, BBC News, Gaza CityAt the scene: Martin Patience, BBC News, Gaza City
There was chaos, confusion, and grief as the latest casualties of this conflict were rushed into Gaza's main hospital.There was chaos, confusion, and grief as the latest casualties of this conflict were rushed into Gaza's main hospital.
Among the victims were children, caught up in a conflict they cannot possibly understand. They had been playing outside during a lull in the fighting.Among the victims were children, caught up in a conflict they cannot possibly understand. They had been playing outside during a lull in the fighting.
One man told me he was at home when he heard a huge explosion. He rushed outside and the street was full of bodies.One man told me he was at home when he heard a huge explosion. He rushed outside and the street was full of bodies.
Hamas says the children were hit by an Israeli strike. But Israel denies this - saying the blast was caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket.Hamas says the children were hit by an Israeli strike. But Israel denies this - saying the blast was caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket.
The attack punctured what had been a day of relative calm in Gaza.The attack punctured what had been a day of relative calm in Gaza.
Today was the start of a three-day religious festival to mark the end of Ramadan. Some Gazans prayed in mosques damaged by the fighting. You could see children playing in the park on swings.Today was the start of a three-day religious festival to mark the end of Ramadan. Some Gazans prayed in mosques damaged by the fighting. You could see children playing in the park on swings.
Eid al-Fitr is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration. But for the moment there is only sorrow and anger in Gaza.Eid al-Fitr is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration. But for the moment there is only sorrow and anger in Gaza.
'Political will'
Mr Ban, who spoke in New York after returning from a visit to the region, was critical of both sides for firing into civilian areas.
He said Hamas had fired missiles into civilian areas of Israel, while Israeli forces had used high-explosive weapons in the crowded Gaza Strip.
Mr Ban said the people of Gaza had nowhere to run to, and he emphasised that participants in conflicts had a responsibility to protect civilians.
He reiterated the UN's call for an immediate, unconditional humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza during the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday.
"It's a matter of their political will. They have to show their humanity as leaders, both Israeli and Palestinian," he said.
Later, the French presidency said the leaders of the United States, France, Germany, Italy and Britain - who held telephone talks - had "agreed to redouble their efforts to obtain a ceasefire. Pressure must increase to get there".
At the scene: Bethany Bell, BBC News, JerusalemAt the scene: Bethany Bell, BBC News, Jerusalem
While Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu is facing increasing international pressure for a ceasefire, at home there is strong public support for the offensive in Gaza.While Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu is facing increasing international pressure for a ceasefire, at home there is strong public support for the offensive in Gaza.
A poll published by Israel's Channel 10 TV on Sunday suggested 87% of Israelis were in favour - and just 7% wanted a full ceasefire.A poll published by Israel's Channel 10 TV on Sunday suggested 87% of Israelis were in favour - and just 7% wanted a full ceasefire.
There are concerns about the rising number of casualties among Israeli soldiers but people here want the rocket fire on Israel to stop. The sound of sirens over central and southern Israel has become part of everyday life. And many are very concerned about the new threat posed by the network of cross-border tunnels from Gaza.There are concerns about the rising number of casualties among Israeli soldiers but people here want the rocket fire on Israel to stop. The sound of sirens over central and southern Israel has become part of everyday life. And many are very concerned about the new threat posed by the network of cross-border tunnels from Gaza.
At her home on a kibbutz close to the Gaza border, one woman said she was afraid. Rockets can be intercepted by Iron Dome, she told me, referring to Israel's missile defence system.At her home on a kibbutz close to the Gaza border, one woman said she was afraid. Rockets can be intercepted by Iron Dome, she told me, referring to Israel's missile defence system.
"But there's no Iron Dome protection against Hamas fighters coming up through the tunnels to kidnap and kill us.""But there's no Iron Dome protection against Hamas fighters coming up through the tunnels to kidnap and kill us."
Israel launched its military offensive on 8 July with the declared objective of stopping Hamas, the Islamist group which controls Gaza, firing rockets from Gaza into Israel.
On 18 July, it extended operations with a ground offensive, saying it was necessary to destroy tunnels dug by militants to infiltrate Israel.
Are you in Israel or Gaza? How are you affected by the situation? Email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject 'Israel Gaza'.Are you in Israel or Gaza? How are you affected by the situation? Email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject 'Israel Gaza'.