This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7801662.stm

The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 12 Version 13
Israel renews air strikes on Gaza Israel renews air strikes on Gaza
(about 1 hour later)
Israeli jets have launched a second day of air attacks on the Gaza Strip, amid warnings that operations will continue until Hamas ends rocket fire from Gaza.Israeli jets have launched a second day of air attacks on the Gaza Strip, amid warnings that operations will continue until Hamas ends rocket fire from Gaza.
Palestinian officials raised the number killed on Saturday to 271, while Israel said it targeted 30 sites overnight. Palestinians now say at least 280 people have died, while Israel is said to be considering a ground assault and has authorised the call-up of reserves.
At the UN, the Security Council called for an end to all violence in Gaza, including rocket attacks from Gaza.At the UN, the Security Council called for an end to all violence in Gaza, including rocket attacks from Gaza.
Israel says at least 110 rockets have been fired over the weekend, and warned it may send troops into Gaza. Israel says militants have fired 110 rockets into Israel since Saturday.
Thousands of reserve soldiers have been called up for duty, reports say. The country's cabinet has authorised the call-up of reserve soldiers, with unconfirmed reports saying as many as 6,500 could be summoned for duty.
Air strikes were launched on Saturday against Hamas targets in the densely-populated coastal territory, less than a week after the expiry of a six-month-long ceasefire deal with the militant group. The air strikes were launched on Saturday against Hamas targets in the densely-populated coastal territory, less than a week after the expiry of a six-month-long ceasefire deal with the militant group. class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7801657.stm">Israel's mixed motives for strikes class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7801814.stm">In pictures: Gaza under siege class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5857&edition=2">Gaza raids: Your reaction class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7801641.stm">Voices: Reaction to raids
The high numbers of casualties made Saturday the single deadliest day in the Gaza Strip since Israel's occupation of the territory in 1967, analysts said. Israel hit targets in all Gaza's main towns, including Gaza City in the north and Khan Younis and Rafah in the south.
Most of those killed were policemen in the Hamas militant movement, which controls Gaza, but women and children also died, Gaza officials said. More than 210 targets were hit in the first 24 hours of what Israel says could be a lengthy military operation.
class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7801657.stm">Israel's mixed motives for strikes class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7801444.stm">Gaza: World reaction in quotes class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=5857&edition=2">Gaza raids: Your reaction class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7801641.stm">Voices: Reaction to raids "Israel will continue until we have a new security environment in the south, when the population there will not longer live in terror and in fear of constant rocket barrages," said government spokesman Mark Regev.
About 700 others were wounded as missiles struck security compounds and militant bases, the officials added. The high numbers of casualties made Saturday the single deadliest day in the Gaza Strip since Israel's occupation of the territory in 1967, analysts said, although no independent confirmation is available of the numbers killed.
Border confusion
Most of those killed were policemen in the Hamas militant movement, which controls Gaza, but officials said women and children also died.
The head of Gaza's police was among those killed.
Up to 700 others were wounded as missiles struck security compounds and militant bases, the officials added.Israel has permanent military positions on alert outside Gaza
The main hospital in Gaza City is reportedly struggling to cope, and Egypt has opened its border with Gaza at Rafah to let the injured seek treatment there.
But the Egyptian foreign minister has accused Hamas of not allowing injured Palestinians to leave Gaza to seek treatment, even though much-needed medical supplies are waiting at the nearby El-Arish airport.
In Israel, one person was killed, in the town of Netivot, some 20km (12 miles) east of Gaza, while there were reports of several Qassam rocket strikes early on Sunday.In Israel, one person was killed, in the town of Netivot, some 20km (12 miles) east of Gaza, while there were reports of several Qassam rocket strikes early on Sunday.
Rockets landed in Ashdod, Israel's largest southern city - some 38km (23 miles) from Gaza - the deepest they have ever struck inside Israel, Israeli media said. No injuries were reported.Rockets landed in Ashdod, Israel's largest southern city - some 38km (23 miles) from Gaza - the deepest they have ever struck inside Israel, Israeli media said. No injuries were reported.
Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak has said military operations could widen to include a ground operation if air strikes fail to change Hamas's behaviour. In Gaza, Palestinian officials said two people died when a mosque was hit on Saturday night
Military fighter jets have already targeted 210 sites since the operation began on Saturday, Israeli security sources said. A BBC journalist in Gaza City said a Hamas-run security and prison compound was hit by at least three missiles on Sunday morning. Hamas said all of its security compounds in the strip were destroyed on Saturday.
'Protecting citizens' 'Time for fighting'
Gazans are preparing to hold funerals for those killed on Saturday, while a general strike has been called for the Palestinian territories.
A resident describes the attacks in Gaza
At the UN, the Security Council ended emergency talks with a call for an end to hostilities, speaking of "serious concern" at the escalation of the situation in Gaza.At the UN, the Security Council ended emergency talks with a call for an end to hostilities, speaking of "serious concern" at the escalation of the situation in Gaza.
Israel's UN ambassador, Gabriela Shalev, repeated Israel's stance that it was taking action to "protect its citizens from further terrorist attacks". A resident describes the attacks in Gaza
US ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad suggested Hamas held the key to restoring calm.US ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad suggested Hamas held the key to restoring calm.
"We believe the way forward from here is for rocket attacks against Israel to stop, for all violence to end," he said."We believe the way forward from here is for rocket attacks against Israel to stop, for all violence to end," he said.
He was implicitly backed up from Cairo by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas - whose Fatah faction are bitter rivals of Hamas. He was implicitly backed up from Cairo by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas - whose Fatah faction is a bitter rival of Hamas.
"We could have avoided what happened," Mr Abbas said, saying the Islamist group should have renewed the ceasefire before it lapsed."We could have avoided what happened," Mr Abbas said, saying the Islamist group should have renewed the ceasefire before it lapsed.
As air raids continued, Palestinian medical officials said two people were killed when a mosque was struck late on Saturday night in Gaza City. A Hamas-run TV station was also targeted, reports said. The air raids came days after the truce expired and as Israel prepares for a general election in February. Palestine has never witnessed an uglier massacre Ismail HaniyaHamas leader in Gaza class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7801356.stm">UK concern over Gaza raid class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7766509.stm">Malnutrition and shortages in Gaza class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7801444.stm">Gaza: World reaction in quotes class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7799593.stm">Israel warns Hamas over rockets
After daybreak, a BBC journalist in Gaza City said a Hamas-run security and prison compound was also struck by at least three missiles on Sunday morning. Defence Minister Ehud Barak has explained the operation in stark terms, saying "the time has come to fight".
In Saturday's main incidents:
• Israel hit targets in all Gaza's main towns, including Gaza City in the north and Khan Younis and Rafah in the south
• Hamas said all its security compounds in the strip were destroyed; the head of Gaza's police was among those killed
• Medical officials said most of those killed were Hamas policemen, but civilians were among the dead
• Staff at Gaza City's main hospital, Shifa, said it was struggling to cope with the influx of injuries.
'Time for fighting'
The raids came days after a six month truce with Hamas expired and as Israel prepared for a general election in February.
Palestine has never witnessed an uglier massacre Ismail HaniyaHamas leader in Gaza In pictures: Gaza attack aftermathUK concern over Gaza raidMalnutrition and shortages in GazaIsrael warns Hamas over rockets
Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak has explained the operation in stark terms, saying "the time has come to fight".
In response the exiled leader of Hamas, Khaled Meshaal, called for a new intifada, or uprising, against Israel, while the movement's Gaza leader, Ismail Haniya, called the attack an "ugly massacre".In response the exiled leader of Hamas, Khaled Meshaal, called for a new intifada, or uprising, against Israel, while the movement's Gaza leader, Ismail Haniya, called the attack an "ugly massacre".
International reaction to the bombing has been dominated by calls for restraint.International reaction to the bombing has been dominated by calls for restraint.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Middle East envoy Tony Blair and the French EU presidency all called for a ceasefire.UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Middle East envoy Tony Blair and the French EU presidency all called for a ceasefire.
Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak defends Gaza strikeIsraeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak defends Gaza strike
Although a six month truce between Hamas and Israel was agreed earlier this year, it was regularly under strain and was allowed to lapse when it expired this month. The Israel-Hamas truce was regularly under strain and was allowed to lapse when it expired this month.
Hamas blamed Israel for the end of the ceasefire, saying it had not respected its terms, including the lifting of the blockade under which little more than humanitarian aid has been allowed into Gaza.Hamas blamed Israel for the end of the ceasefire, saying it had not respected its terms, including the lifting of the blockade under which little more than humanitarian aid has been allowed into Gaza.
Israel said it initially began easing the blockade, but this was halted when Hamas failed to fulfil what Israel says were agreed conditions, including ending all rocket fire and halting weapons smuggling.Israel said it initially began easing the blockade, but this was halted when Hamas failed to fulfil what Israel says were agreed conditions, including ending all rocket fire and halting weapons smuggling.
From 1967 Israel's military occupied the Gaza Strip and Jewish settlers built communities within the territory. Israel withdrew in 2005 but has maintained control of Gaza's borders.From 1967 Israel's military occupied the Gaza Strip and Jewish settlers built communities within the territory. Israel withdrew in 2005 but has maintained control of Gaza's borders.
Are you in the areas hit by the military action? Have you been involved in providing relief to the injured or other affected people? Please send your comment using the form below:
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Name