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Dozens die in Israel-Gaza clashes Dozens die in Israel-Gaza clashes
(about 3 hours later)
At least 46 Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers have been killed in one of the deadliest days of fighting in Gaza since troops withdrew in 2005. At least 52 Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers have been killed in one of the deadliest days of fighting in Gaza since troops withdrew in 2005.
Medical staff said at least eight were children and up to 16 were militants. Israel said most were militants. Seven Israeli troops were lightly injured. Doctors said at least eight were children and up to 16 were militants. Israel said most were militants.
Israel says it wants to stop rocket attacks from Gaza, but about 50 hit Israel on Saturday, injuring five. More than 150 Palestinians - and seven Israelis - have been injured. Israel says it wants to stop rocket attacks, but about 50 hit Israel on Saturday.
The Palestinian leader has demanded urgent UN Security Council talks. Palestinian leaders have called for international protection.
Mahmoud Abbas said the Israeli raids were "more than a holocaust". Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas demanded an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.
He was apparently alluding to controversial remarks made on Friday by Israel's Deputy Defence Minister Matan Vilnai, who said Palestinians risked a "shoah" - the Hebrew word for a big disaster as well as for the Nazi Holocaust. Mr Abbas said the Israeli raids were "more than a holocaust". He was apparently alluding to controversial remarks made on Friday by Israel's Deputy Defence Minister Matan Vilnai, who said Palestinians risked a "shoah" - the Hebrew word for a big disaster as well as for the Nazi Holocaust.
RISING VIOLENCE Saturday: At least 52 Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers killed Friday: Ashkelon activates warning system after rocket hits Thursday: Four Palestinian children and seven militants killed Wednesday: Six-month-old Palestinian boy and six militants killedIsraeli civilian killed in Sderot In pictures: Gaza violence
Mr Vilnai's colleagues insisted he had not meant "genocide".Mr Vilnai's colleagues insisted he had not meant "genocide".
Khaled Meshaal, Hamas' exiled leader in Syria, went further, calling Israel's actions "the real Holocaust". Khaled Meshaal, Hamas's exiled leader in Syria, went further, calling Israel's actions "the real holocaust".
Civilian deaths The Israeli raids began after a rocket fired by Hamas militants killed an Israeli student in the southern town of Sderot, the first such death in nine months, on Wednesday.
More than 80 Palestinians have been killed since then.
In a statement on Saturday, Israel's Defence Minister Ehud Barak blamed Hamas for the killings.
"We are not happy about civilians being hurt in Gaza," Mr Barak said.
"Hamas and those who fire rockets at Israel are responsible and they will pay the price."
Air raids
Israel has said it may launch a full-scale attack on Gaza in response to militant rocket attacks.Israel has said it may launch a full-scale attack on Gaza in response to militant rocket attacks.
RISING VIOLENCE Saturday: At least 46 Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers killed Friday: Ashkelon activates warning system after rocket hits Thursday: Four Palestinian children and seven militants killed Wednesday: Six-month-old Palestinian boy and six militants killedIsraeli civilian killed in Sderot class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7272386.stm">In pictures: Gaza violence The BBC's Katya Adler in Jerusalem says Israel's leaders have been under pressure from some quarters to launch a ground invasion. Israel says it wants to end the agony caused by militant rockets
The BBC's Katya Adler in Jerusalem says Israel's leaders have been under pressure from some quarters to launch a ground invasion.
However, a recent opinion poll has indicated a majority of Israelis favour a truce with the Islamist movement Hamas, which controls Gaza.However, a recent opinion poll has indicated a majority of Israelis favour a truce with the Islamist movement Hamas, which controls Gaza.
Israeli government spokesman David Baker said "Israel is compelled to take the proper steps to bring an end to these rocket onslaughts" on about 200,000 Israelis living alongside Gaza's border.
Tanks and troops have made an incursion into northern Gaza, encountering resistance from Palestinian militants, as Israeli planes made several air raids.Tanks and troops have made an incursion into northern Gaza, encountering resistance from Palestinian militants, as Israeli planes made several air raids.
On one occasion, a house east of the Jabaliya refugee camp was struck - two children, a brother and sister, were killed.On one occasion, a house east of the Jabaliya refugee camp was struck - two children, a brother and sister, were killed.
Israel says it wants to end the agony caused by militant rockets Later, a 15-year-old girl and her 16-year-old sister were also killed. Later, a 15-year-old girl and her 16-year-old sister were also killed.
In another attack, a mother was killed as she was preparing breakfast for her children, medical workers said.In another attack, a mother was killed as she was preparing breakfast for her children, medical workers said.
"We are in the middle of a total war. We hear the rockets and the explosions everywhere... we cannot leave our homes," a Jabaliya resident, Abu Alaa, told the AFP news agency. And a resident of Jabaliya told the Associated Press news agency that one of his relatives had been killed.
"They're shooting at everything that moves." "His body is still lying on the ground," he said. "Ambulances tried to come, but they came under fire."
There was also fighting in and around the camp between Israeli troops backed by tanks and Palestinian militants equipped with crude rockets and mortars.
Israel says its aim is to stop Palestinian militants firing rockets across the border.
On Wednesday a rocket fired by Hamas militants killed an Israeli student in the southern town of Sderot, the first such death in nine months.
Palestinian militant leaders say they are responding to Israeli attacks.
More than 70 Palestinians have been killed in the violence since Wednesday.
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