This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-28619418
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Gaza conflict: New exchanges amid Israeli soldier hunt | Gaza conflict: New exchanges amid Israeli soldier hunt |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Israel has carried out fresh attacks on Gaza and militants have launched more rockets into Israel as a hunt continues for a missing Israeli soldier. | Israel has carried out fresh attacks on Gaza and militants have launched more rockets into Israel as a hunt continues for a missing Israeli soldier. |
| Palestinian officials said 50 people died overnight in Israeli strikes, most of them in Rafah, where the soldier, Hadar Goldin, went missing. | Palestinian officials said 50 people died overnight in Israeli strikes, most of them in Rafah, where the soldier, Hadar Goldin, went missing. |
| A series of rocket attacks into Israel was reported on Saturday morning. | A series of rocket attacks into Israel was reported on Saturday morning. |
| At least 1,650 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and 63 Israelis, mainly soldiers, have died in the conflict. | At least 1,650 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and 63 Israelis, mainly soldiers, have died in the conflict. |
| A Thai worker was also killed in Israel. Some 8,900 Palestinians have also been injured, the health ministry in Gaza says. | A Thai worker was also killed in Israel. Some 8,900 Palestinians have also been injured, the health ministry in Gaza says. |
| A 72-hour ceasefire had been agreed, starting from Friday morning, but collapsed hours later. | A 72-hour ceasefire had been agreed, starting from Friday morning, but collapsed hours later. |
| Hamas accused Israel of breaking the ceasefire but the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had been forced to respond to militant rocket fire. | Hamas accused Israel of breaking the ceasefire but the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had been forced to respond to militant rocket fire. |
| On Saturday, Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi insisted an Egyptian ceasefire plan offered a "real chance" to end the bloodshed. | |
| 'Time is decisive' | |
| Palestinian officials said that there had been a series of Israeli air strikes around Rafah since midnight, killing at least 35 people. | Palestinian officials said that there had been a series of Israeli air strikes around Rafah since midnight, killing at least 35 people. |
| They said that across Gaza overnight, 40 homes, three mosques and a university were hit. | They said that across Gaza overnight, 40 homes, three mosques and a university were hit. |
| Israeli media said that after a relatively quiet night, a number of rockets had been fired on Saturday morning, including at Tel Aviv. | Israeli media said that after a relatively quiet night, a number of rockets had been fired on Saturday morning, including at Tel Aviv. |
| The Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, which controls Gaza, said it had fired three rockets at Tel Aviv. | The Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, which controls Gaza, said it had fired three rockets at Tel Aviv. |
| At least two were reportedly shot down by the Iron Dome missile defence system. | At least two were reportedly shot down by the Iron Dome missile defence system. |
| Egypt's state-run news agency Mena reported on Saturday that Egypt's Rafah border crossing with Gaza had been reopened for humanitarian reasons, to help the casualties. | Egypt's state-run news agency Mena reported on Saturday that Egypt's Rafah border crossing with Gaza had been reopened for humanitarian reasons, to help the casualties. |
| Mr Sisi, in a news conference, said: "The Egyptian proposal is the real chance to find a solution to the crisis in Gaza and to end the bloodshed. | |
| "Time is decisive, we have to take advantage of it quickly to douse the fire... and to stop the bloodshed of Palestinians." | |
| Qassam Brigades' statement | |
| The Qassam Brigades meanwhile said it had no information about the fate of 2nd Lt Hadar Goldin, 23. | The Qassam Brigades meanwhile said it had no information about the fate of 2nd Lt Hadar Goldin, 23. |
| Israel said he may have been captured during an ambush in which two other soldiers were killed. | Israel said he may have been captured during an ambush in which two other soldiers were killed. |
| In a statement early on Saturday, the Qassam Brigades said it lost contact with a group of fighters in the area where the soldier went missing, saying: "We believe they were all killed in the [Israeli] bombardment. | In a statement early on Saturday, the Qassam Brigades said it lost contact with a group of fighters in the area where the soldier went missing, saying: "We believe they were all killed in the [Israeli] bombardment. |
| "Assuming that they managed to seize the soldier during combat, we assess that he was also killed in the incident." | "Assuming that they managed to seize the soldier during combat, we assess that he was also killed in the incident." |
| US President Barack Obama on Friday called for the release of Lt Goldin. | |
| Mr Obama said: "If [Hamas] are serious about trying to trying to resolve this situation, that soldier needs to be unconditionally released, as soon as possible." | Mr Obama said: "If [Hamas] are serious about trying to trying to resolve this situation, that soldier needs to be unconditionally released, as soon as possible." |
| The capture of soldiers is a particular concern for Israeli authorities. Conscript Gilad Shalit was held for five years before being exchanged for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. | The capture of soldiers is a particular concern for Israeli authorities. Conscript Gilad Shalit was held for five years before being exchanged for more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. |
| Mr Obama also urged the protection of civilians. | Mr Obama also urged the protection of civilians. |
| He said: "We have been clear that innocent civilians in Gaza caught in the crossfire have to weigh on our conscience and we have to do more to protect them." | He said: "We have been clear that innocent civilians in Gaza caught in the crossfire have to weigh on our conscience and we have to do more to protect them." |
| The US Congress on Friday passed a $225m (£134m) bill to help restock Israel's Iron Dome defence system. | |
| Israel began an aerial campaign on 8 July with the intention of halting rocket attacks from Gaza, and later launched ground operations to target rocket launching sites and tunnels use by militants to infiltrate Israel. | Israel began an aerial campaign on 8 July with the intention of halting rocket attacks from Gaza, and later launched ground operations to target rocket launching sites and tunnels use by militants to infiltrate Israel. |
| There have been numerous attempts to hold ceasefires but none have lasted, with both sides accusing each other of breaking the truces. | There have been numerous attempts to hold ceasefires but none have lasted, with both sides accusing each other of breaking the truces. |
| Are you in Gaza or Israel? Have you been affected by the violence? You can send us your views and experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "Gaza Israel". If you are willing to feature in an interview, please ensure you include your contact details and a photograph of yourself to help us illustrate the story. | Are you in Gaza or Israel? Have you been affected by the violence? You can send us your views and experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "Gaza Israel". If you are willing to feature in an interview, please ensure you include your contact details and a photograph of yourself to help us illustrate the story. |