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Gaza conflict: Israel expands ground offensive Gaza shelling by Israel 'most intense', dozens reported killed
(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. 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.
In a statement, Israel's military said additional forces had joined "the effort to combat terror" in Gaza. The deaths occurred in Shejaiya, east of Gaza City, Palestinian medics said. Eyewitnesses spoke of bodies lying in the streets.
More than 40 people were killed in one district east of Gaza City, hospital officials have told the BBC. Israel earlier said it had expanded its operation - launched 13 days ago - against Hamas militants.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is due to arrive in Qatar later to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. But it later said it agreed to a two-hour humanitarian truce in Shejaiya.
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. 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.
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 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.
The majority of those killed are civilians, the UN says.The majority of those killed are civilians, the UN says.
'Bodies on streets' In other developments:
At least 40 people died in the north-eastern district of Shejaiya in a heavy bombardment overnight, Palestinian medics said. Scenes of panic
Ambulances were unable to reach much of the area because of shelling, and eyewitnesses report bodies lying in the street in the district, about three kilometres (1.2 miles) away from Gaza City. More than 40 people died in the north-eastern district of Shejaiya in a heavy bombardment 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.
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 - on foot or piling into the backs of cars.
Militants have continued to fire rockets into Israel. At 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 from the air alone. Israel says the ground 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.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 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.
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 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'.