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Female bomber strikes Gaza town Female bomber strikes Gaza town
(about 3 hours later)
A female Palestinian suicide bomber has blown herself up in a Gaza Strip town, killing herself and injuring an Israeli soldier, the Israeli army says. A female Palestinian suicide bomber has blown herself up in a Gaza Strip town, injuring an Israeli soldier, the Israeli army says.
The woman detonated her bomb near Israeli soldiers in Beit Hanoun, the focus of a six-day military offensive. She died after detonating her bomb near Israeli soldiers in Beit Hanoun, focus of a six-day military offensive.
Earlier, a 17-year-old Palestinian boy was killed in an air strike on the northern town of Jabaliya.Earlier, a 17-year-old Palestinian boy was killed in an air strike on the northern town of Jabaliya.
Israel says it is targeting rocket-firing Palestinian militants operating from northern Gaza.Israel says it is targeting rocket-firing Palestinian militants operating from northern Gaza.
But Palestinian officials have accused Israel of carrying out a "massacre".But Palestinian officials have accused Israel of carrying out a "massacre".
About 50 Palestinians have died in the country's latest military incursion into the area.About 50 Palestinians have died in the country's latest military incursion into the area.
Curfew imposedCurfew imposed
The Islamic Jihad militant group said the woman was one of its members, the BBC's Alan Johnston, in Gaza, says. The Islamic Jihad militant group said the female suicide bomber was one of its members, the BBC's Alan Johnston in Gaza says.
A radio station linked to Hamas reported that many civilians were injured when the woman blew herself up, AP reports.A radio station linked to Hamas reported that many civilians were injured when the woman blew herself up, AP reports.
During the Jabaliya air strike, at least four people were hurt in the attack near a school, Palestinian officials told Reuters news agency.During the Jabaliya air strike, at least four people were hurt in the attack near a school, Palestinian officials told Reuters news agency.
Three Palestinians were also killed by Israeli action in Gaza in separate incidents on Sunday.
I am following with deep worry the news about the grave deterioration of the situation in the Gaza Strip, and I want to express my closeness to the civilian population, which is suffering the consequences of the acts of violence Pope BenedictI am following with deep worry the news about the grave deterioration of the situation in the Gaza Strip, and I want to express my closeness to the civilian population, which is suffering the consequences of the acts of violence Pope Benedict
The Israeli military said its aircraft had attacked a group of militants retrieving a device used to fire a missile, in Monday's attack.The Israeli military said its aircraft had attacked a group of militants retrieving a device used to fire a missile, in Monday's attack.
But the Palestinians said the plane missed its target and, instead, struck close to a school.But the Palestinians said the plane missed its target and, instead, struck close to a school.
The entire town of Beit Hanoun remains under Israeli control and troops have ordered residents to stay indoors.The entire town of Beit Hanoun remains under Israeli control and troops have ordered residents to stay indoors.
BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston says there are severe shortages of water and power, and the arrival of a small United Nations aid convoy on Monday sparked frantic scenes. Our correspondent says there are severe shortages of water and power, and the arrival of a small United Nations aid convoy on Monday sparked frantic scenes.
'Necessary steps' Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has declined to say when the operation centred on Beit Hanoun will end, but insists Israel has no intention of reoccupying the Gaza Strip. href="/1/hi/in_pictures/6121208.stm" class="">In Pictures: Gaza offensive
Israeli PM Ehud Olmert declined on Sunday to say when the operation centred on Beit Hanoun would end, but insisted Israel had no intention of reoccupying the Gaza Strip. In Pictures: Gaza offensive
Israeli forces have made regular incursions into Gaza and the West Bank since the capture of an Israeli soldier in a cross-border raid by Palestinian militants on 25 June.Israeli forces have made regular incursions into Gaza and the West Bank since the capture of an Israeli soldier in a cross-border raid by Palestinian militants on 25 June.
Despite the crackdown, a rocket hit the Israeli border town of Sderot on Sunday, but no-one was hurt.Despite the crackdown, a rocket hit the Israeli border town of Sderot on Sunday, but no-one was hurt.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniya have called the operation a "massacre" and urged the UN Security Council to convene to discuss the issue.Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniya have called the operation a "massacre" and urged the UN Security Council to convene to discuss the issue.
International criticismInternational criticism
On Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI said he was very worried about the situation in Gaza, and called on all sides to work to stop the bloodshed and to immediately resume direct and concrete negotiations.On Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI said he was very worried about the situation in Gaza, and called on all sides to work to stop the bloodshed and to immediately resume direct and concrete negotiations.
The Red Cross has criticised the killing by Israeli force of paramedicsThe Red Cross has criticised the killing by Israeli force of paramedics
"I am following with deep worry the news about the grave deterioration of the situation in the Gaza Strip, and I want to express my closeness to the civilian population, which is suffering the consequences of the acts of violence," Pope Benedict said in his Sunday address in St Peter's Square in Rome. The European Union presidency, currently held by Finland, has issued a statement deploring "the growing number of civilian casualties the Israeli military operation has caused".
The European Union presidency, currently held by Finland, issued a statement on Sunday deploring "the growing number of civilian casualties the Israeli military operation has caused".
The International Red Cross also criticised Israel for the killing of two medical workers, saying that the paramedics and their vehicle were clearly marked.The International Red Cross also criticised Israel for the killing of two medical workers, saying that the paramedics and their vehicle were clearly marked.