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Gaza conflict: Israel expands ground offensive Gaza conflict: Israel expands ground offensive
(about 1 hour later)
Israel says it has expanded its ground operation against Hamas, with residents in Gaza reporting the heaviest shelling since the conflict began 13 days ago.Israel says it has expanded its ground operation against Hamas, with residents in Gaza reporting the heaviest shelling since the conflict began 13 days ago.
In a statement, Israel's military said "additional forces" had joined "the effort to combat terror" in Gaza. In a statement, Israel's military said additional forces had joined "the effort to combat terror" in Gaza.
Four Palestinians died, including two children and the son of a senior Hamas official, in new air strikes on Sunday. More than 40 people were killed in one district east of Gaza City, hospital officials have told the BBC.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is due to arrive in Qatar later to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is due to arrive in Qatar later to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
His visit is part of a regional tour aimed at helping Israelis and Palestinians "end the violence and find a way forward", the UN said.His visit is part of a regional tour aimed at helping Israelis and Palestinians "end the violence and find a way forward", the UN said.
But the death toll continued to rise at the weekend, with the number of Palestinians killed now at more than 350 - the vast majority of them civilians, the UN says. But the death toll continued to rise at the weekend, with the number of Palestinians killed now at more than 360 - the vast majority of them civilians, the UN says.
At least 40 people died in the district of Shejaiya, in a heavy bombardment overnight, medics said.
Ambulances were unable to reach much of the area because of shelling, and eyewitnesses report bodies lying in the street.
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.
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 10 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 a Hamas tunnel network, which it says it could not do only from the air. Israel says the ground operation is necessary to target a Hamas tunnel network, 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.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.
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".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.Residents in Gaza reported hearing explosions throughout the night on Saturday.
An air strike in the suburb of Shejaiya targeted the house of Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya, killing four people including his son and daughter-in-law, Palestinian doctors said.An air strike in the suburb of 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 United Nations warned that 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.
Fears over civilian deaths Fears for civilians
Diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire involving, among others, Egypt, Qatar, France and the UN, have failed to make any progress.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.French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius met Mr Netanyahu on Saturday, but said that attempts to agree a ceasefire had failed.
"Sadly I can say that the call for a ceasefire has not been heard, and on the contrary, there's a risk of more civilian casualties that worries us," he told press. "Sadly I can say that the call for a ceasefire has not been heard, and on the contrary, there's a risk of more civilian casualties that worries us," he told media.
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 in a bid to convince the Islamist group to agree to Egyptian efforts to end the fighting.
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'.