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Israel-Gaza: Hamas chiefs targeted as truce efforts stall Israel-Gaza: Hamas chiefs targeted as truce efforts stall
(about 2 hours later)
Damage from an Israeli air strike overnight in Gaza CityDamage from an Israeli air strike overnight in Gaza City
Israel says it has targeted the homes of Hamas commanders as deadly fighting with Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip enters a 10th day.Israel says it has targeted the homes of Hamas commanders as deadly fighting with Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip enters a 10th day.
Israel said it had tried to kill Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif "several times". Overnight, two militants died in a strike on an apartment.Israel said it had tried to kill Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif "several times". Overnight, two militants died in a strike on an apartment.
Fresh barrages of rockets were also fired into Israel and sirens continued to sound on Wednesday morning.Fresh barrages of rockets were also fired into Israel and sirens continued to sound on Wednesday morning.
Ceasefire moves continue behind the scenes but have made little headway.Ceasefire moves continue behind the scenes but have made little headway.
Read the latest reports from Gaza and IsraelRead the latest reports from Gaza and Israel
The BBC's Yolande Knell in Jerusalem says reports began circulating that a truce - brokered by Egypt - could come into force within days. However, these were quickly denied.The BBC's Yolande Knell in Jerusalem says reports began circulating that a truce - brokered by Egypt - could come into force within days. However, these were quickly denied.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday: "We're not standing with a stopwatch. We are taking care of the operation's objectives."Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday: "We're not standing with a stopwatch. We are taking care of the operation's objectives."
A Hamas leader said that efforts by mediators were "serious and continuous" but that Palestinian demands had to be met.A Hamas leader said that efforts by mediators were "serious and continuous" but that Palestinian demands had to be met.
The Israel-Palestinian conflict explainedThe Israel-Palestinian conflict explained
The fighting began after weeks of rising Israeli-Palestinian tension in occupied East Jerusalem that culminated in clashes at a holy site revered by both Muslims and Jews. Hamas, which controls Gaza, began firing rockets after warning Israel to withdraw from the site, triggering retaliatory air strikes.The fighting began after weeks of rising Israeli-Palestinian tension in occupied East Jerusalem that culminated in clashes at a holy site revered by both Muslims and Jews. Hamas, which controls Gaza, began firing rockets after warning Israel to withdraw from the site, triggering retaliatory air strikes.
Israel's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepted Palestinian rockets throughout the nightIsrael's Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepted Palestinian rockets throughout the night
At least 219 people, including almost 100 women and children, have been killed in Gaza so far, according to its health ministry. Israel has said at least 150 militants are among those killed in Gaza. Hamas does not give casualty figures for fighters.At least 219 people, including almost 100 women and children, have been killed in Gaza so far, according to its health ministry. Israel has said at least 150 militants are among those killed in Gaza. Hamas does not give casualty figures for fighters.
In Israel 12 people, including two children, have been killed, its medical service says. Israel says some 3,750 rockets have been fired towards its territory by militants in Gaza.In Israel 12 people, including two children, have been killed, its medical service says. Israel says some 3,750 rockets have been fired towards its territory by militants in Gaza.
Air base targetedAir base targeted
The rocket attacks and Israeli air strikes continued overnight and into Wednesday.The rocket attacks and Israeli air strikes continued overnight and into Wednesday.
Israel defends Gaza strategy as death toll mountsIsrael defends Gaza strategy as death toll mounts
The Israel-Palestinian conflict explainedThe Israel-Palestinian conflict explained
Mothers fear for children in Israel-Gaza conflictMothers fear for children in Israel-Gaza conflict
The Israeli military said its fighter jets had attacked military infrastructure and the homes of Hamas commanders in Gaza.The Israeli military said its fighter jets had attacked military infrastructure and the homes of Hamas commanders in Gaza.
The BBC's Rushdi Abualouf in Gaza says two Palestinian militants were killed in an apartment in a building in central Gaza City as Israeli warplanes carried out more than 70 strikes.The BBC's Rushdi Abualouf in Gaza says two Palestinian militants were killed in an apartment in a building in central Gaza City as Israeli warplanes carried out more than 70 strikes.
About 50 strikes targeted the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, with attacks on militant groups' training facilities, a Hamas-run security compound, and roads and farms, our correspondent says.About 50 strikes targeted the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, with attacks on militant groups' training facilities, a Hamas-run security compound, and roads and farms, our correspondent says.
Gaza City mother of seven Randa Abu Sultan, 45, told AFP news agency: "My four-year-old son tells me he's scared that if he falls asleep, he'll wake up to find us dead."Gaza City mother of seven Randa Abu Sultan, 45, told AFP news agency: "My four-year-old son tells me he's scared that if he falls asleep, he'll wake up to find us dead."
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they had again targeted a network of underground tunnels used by militants.The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they had again targeted a network of underground tunnels used by militants.
Clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces took place in the West Bank on TuesdayClashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces took place in the West Bank on Tuesday
IDF spokesman Brig Gen Hidai Zilberman also said: "Throughout the operation we have tried to assassinate Mohammed Deif. We've tried to kill him several times."IDF spokesman Brig Gen Hidai Zilberman also said: "Throughout the operation we have tried to assassinate Mohammed Deif. We've tried to kill him several times."
Mohammed Deif is the head of Hamas's military wing, the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, and has survived repeated attempts on his life, including in the last major conflict in 2014. He tends to stay in the background and his whereabouts remain unknown.Mohammed Deif is the head of Hamas's military wing, the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, and has survived repeated attempts on his life, including in the last major conflict in 2014. He tends to stay in the background and his whereabouts remain unknown.
Sirens warning of rocket fire sounded overnight in parts of south and central Israel, including the cities of Ashkelon and Ashdod, and continued to sound in some areas on Wednesday morning.Sirens warning of rocket fire sounded overnight in parts of south and central Israel, including the cities of Ashkelon and Ashdod, and continued to sound in some areas on Wednesday morning.
Hamas said it had launched rockets at the Palmachim air base for a second time overnight. Israel said no military bases had been hit.Hamas said it had launched rockets at the Palmachim air base for a second time overnight. Israel said no military bases had been hit.
Two Thai workers died in a rocket strike on a farm in Israel on Tuesday.Two Thai workers died in a rocket strike on a farm in Israel on Tuesday.
Of the 3,750 rockets fired from the Gaza Strip since the fighting began, 550 have fallen short in Gaza, according to the IDF. Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system has intercepted about 90% of the rockets that have crossed into Israeli territory, it says.Of the 3,750 rockets fired from the Gaza Strip since the fighting began, 550 have fallen short in Gaza, according to the IDF. Israel's Iron Dome missile defence system has intercepted about 90% of the rockets that have crossed into Israeli territory, it says.
Israeli air strikes bombard Gaza StripIsraeli air strikes bombard Gaza Strip
The IDF estimated that at the start of the conflict, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, the two main groups in Gaza, had an arsenal of about 12,000 rockets or mortars.The IDF estimated that at the start of the conflict, Hamas and Islamic Jihad, the two main groups in Gaza, had an arsenal of about 12,000 rockets or mortars.
Mr Netanyahu said the Israeli operation had "set Hamas back by many years".Mr Netanyahu said the Israeli operation had "set Hamas back by many years".
On Wednesday, he said that he knew that Hamas would try to declare victory whatever happened but that if it were able to do so it would be "a defeat for us all".On Wednesday, he said that he knew that Hamas would try to declare victory whatever happened but that if it were able to do so it would be "a defeat for us all".
There has also been unrest within Israel and in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, where Palestinians took part in a general strike on Tuesday. There were clashes in several locations.There has also been unrest within Israel and in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, where Palestinians took part in a general strike on Tuesday. There were clashes in several locations.
Diplomatic deadlockDiplomatic deadlock
In New York on Tuesday, the latest meeting of the UN Security Council again failed to reach agreement.In New York on Tuesday, the latest meeting of the UN Security Council again failed to reach agreement.
France, in co-ordination with Egypt and Jordan, filed a resolution calling for an end to the violence, but it was only a draft.France, in co-ordination with Egypt and Jordan, filed a resolution calling for an end to the violence, but it was only a draft.
The US, a long-standing ally of Israel, has been blocking attempts to issue a joint statement, saying it would not help with de-escalation, although it has called for a ceasefire.The US, a long-standing ally of Israel, has been blocking attempts to issue a joint statement, saying it would not help with de-escalation, although it has called for a ceasefire.
The Palestinian representative at the UN, Riyad Mansour, called the Security Council's failure to express a unified position "shameful".The Palestinian representative at the UN, Riyad Mansour, called the Security Council's failure to express a unified position "shameful".
One Israeli military source told Reuters that Israel was assessing whether conditions were right for a truce.One Israeli military source told Reuters that Israel was assessing whether conditions were right for a truce.
The Ynet news website said that the Israelis were talking with the Egyptians. It quoted sources in the Israeli cabinet as saying Israel could achieve its objectives and end the fighting "within days".The Ynet news website said that the Israelis were talking with the Egyptians. It quoted sources in the Israeli cabinet as saying Israel could achieve its objectives and end the fighting "within days".
UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock said the fighting had caused "immense suffering" and "must stop".UN humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock said the fighting had caused "immense suffering" and "must stop".
"I call on all parties to the hostilities to agree to a humanitarian pause to allow for emergency humanitarian relief distribution," he said."I call on all parties to the hostilities to agree to a humanitarian pause to allow for emergency humanitarian relief distribution," he said.
The party of Turkish President Erdogan rejected US accusations of ant-Semitism The party of Turkish President Erdogan rejected US accusations of anti-Semitism
Separately on Wednesday, Turkey rejected US accusations that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had made anti-Semitic remarks about Israel.Separately on Wednesday, Turkey rejected US accusations that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had made anti-Semitic remarks about Israel.
He had accused Israel of "terrorism" against the Palestinians and recently said: "It is in their nature".He had accused Israel of "terrorism" against the Palestinians and recently said: "It is in their nature".
State department spokesman Ned Price said the US found the remarks "reprehensible".State department spokesman Ned Price said the US found the remarks "reprehensible".
Omer Celik, a spokesman for Mr Erdogan's party, said the president had given very strong messages against anti-Semitism, adding: "Accusing our president of anti-Semitism is an illogical and untrue approach. This is a lie."Omer Celik, a spokesman for Mr Erdogan's party, said the president had given very strong messages against anti-Semitism, adding: "Accusing our president of anti-Semitism is an illogical and untrue approach. This is a lie."
Are you in Israel or Gaza and affected by the fighting? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in Israel or Gaza and affected by the fighting? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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