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Gaza diplomatic pressure boosted Gaza diplomatic pressure boosted
(40 minutes later)
A concerted diplomatic drive is under way to try to end to Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip and Palestinian militant rocket attacks.A concerted diplomatic drive is under way to try to end to Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip and Palestinian militant rocket attacks.
Both the Quartet of Middle East peace-brokers and EU foreign ministers called for an immediate ceasefire after urgent talks on Tuesday.Both the Quartet of Middle East peace-brokers and EU foreign ministers called for an immediate ceasefire after urgent talks on Tuesday.
The Arab League is due to meet in Cairo later to discuss the crisis.The Arab League is due to meet in Cairo later to discuss the crisis.
A possible 48-hour ceasefire plan was raised during a four-hour Israeli cabinet meeting late on Tuesday. A possible 48-hour ceasefire plan was raised during a four-hour Israeli leadership meeting late on Tuesday.
Reports of that meeting suggested any pause in fighting would be accompanied by a threat to send in ground troops if rocket fire into Israel continued. Reports of that meeting - attended by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and his defence and foreign ministers - suggested any pause in fighting would be accompanied by a threat to send in ground troops if rocket fire into Israel continued.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner had proposed the 48-hour truce to allow aid in to Gaza. See detailed map of attacksFrench Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner had proposed the 48-hour truce to allow aid in to Gaza. See detailed map of attacks
Fifth dayFifth day
Early on Wednesday, Israeli missiles pounded tunnels along Gaza's frontier with Egypt as well as buildings and installations linked to Hamas - the militant group that controls the coastal enclave - for a fifth day. AdvertisementEarly on Wednesday, Israeli missiles pounded tunnels along Gaza's frontier with Egypt as well as buildings and installations linked to Hamas - the militant group that controls the coastal enclave - for a fifth day. Advertisement
Israel pounds Gaza for fourth dayIsrael pounds Gaza for fourth day
Some 374 Palestinians have died in Israeli air strikes since Saturday; four Israelis have been killed by rockets fired from Gaza.Some 374 Palestinians have died in Israeli air strikes since Saturday; four Israelis have been killed by rockets fired from Gaza.
Israel said it hit more than 30 targets on Tuesday, and has warned it is ready for weeks of action to end the rocket fire.Israel said it hit more than 30 targets on Tuesday, and has warned it is ready for weeks of action to end the rocket fire.
The UN says at least 62 civilians have died since Saturday, while humanitarian agencies say they are struggling to contend with both the air strikes and a lack of medical and food supplies.The UN says at least 62 civilians have died since Saturday, while humanitarian agencies say they are struggling to contend with both the air strikes and a lack of medical and food supplies.
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is expected to travel to Paris on Thursday for talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is expected to travel to Paris on Thursday for talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Ground operations?Ground operations?
The Quartet - which comprises the US, UN, EU and Russia - called for a ceasefire "that would be fully respected" and for all parties to address "the serious humanitarian and economic needs in Gaza", a UN spokeswoman said. In pictures: Day four of raidsTaking cover on Sderot front lineLong wait at Rafah crossingThe Quartet - which comprises the US, UN, EU and Russia - called for a ceasefire "that would be fully respected" and for all parties to address "the serious humanitarian and economic needs in Gaza", a UN spokeswoman said. In pictures: Day four of raidsTaking cover on Sderot front lineLong wait at Rafah crossing
The EU foreign ministers echoed that call following a meeting in the French capital, Paris.The EU foreign ministers echoed that call following a meeting in the French capital, Paris.
A separate proposal from Egypt and a number of other Arab countries has called on Israel to reopen its border with Gaza.A separate proposal from Egypt and a number of other Arab countries has called on Israel to reopen its border with Gaza.
The US - Israel's strongest ally - has called for a long-term solution beyond any immediate ceasefire. But the White House reiterated that the onus was on Hamas to act first to end the violence.The US - Israel's strongest ally - has called for a long-term solution beyond any immediate ceasefire. But the White House reiterated that the onus was on Hamas to act first to end the violence.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said earlier that the air assault on Gaza was "the first in several stages" of operations against Hamas. Mr Olmert said earlier that the air assault on Gaza was "the first in several stages" of operations against Hamas.
Israel has massed forces along the boundary with Gaza and has declared the area around it a "closed military zone".Israel has massed forces along the boundary with Gaza and has declared the area around it a "closed military zone".
Correspondents say the move could be a prelude to ground operations, but could also be intended to build pressure on Hamas.Correspondents say the move could be a prelude to ground operations, but could also be intended to build pressure on Hamas.
The Israeli air strikes began less than a week after the expiry of a six-month-long ceasefire deal with Hamas.The Israeli air strikes began less than a week after the expiry of a six-month-long ceasefire deal with Hamas.
Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 but has kept tight control over access in and out of Gaza and its airspace.Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 but has kept tight control over access in and out of Gaza and its airspace.
GAZA VIOLENCE 27-30 DECEMBER 1. Ashdod: First attack so far north, Sunday. Woman killed in second rocket attack, Tuesday 2. Ashkelon: One man killed, several injured in rocket attack, Monday3. Sderot: rocket attacks4. Nevitot: One man killed, several injured in rocket attack, Saturday5. Civilian family reported killed in attack on Yabna refugee camp, Sunday 6. Israeli warplanes strike tunnels under Gaza/Egypt border, Sunday7. Three brothers reported killed in attack on Rafah, Sunday8. Khan Younis: Four members of Islamic Jihad and a child reported killed, Sunday. Security officer killed in air strike on Hamas police station, Tuesday 9. Deir al-Balah: Palestinians injured, houses and buildings destroyed, Sunday 10. Tel al-Hawa - Interior ministry and Islamic University badly damaged, Monday. At least three buildings in ministry compound hit, Tuesday11. Gaza City port: naval vessels targeted, Sunday 12. Shati refugee camp: Home of Hamas leader Ismail Haniya targeted, Monday 13. Intelligence building attacked, Sunday14. Jebaliya refugee camp: several people killed in attack on mosque, Sunday 15. Beit Hanoun - two girls killed in air strike, Tuesday16. Israeli soldier killed at unspecified military base near Nahal Oz border crossing - five other soldiers wounded in same rocket attack, Monday night. GAZA VIOLENCE 27-30 DECEMBER 1. Ashdod: First attack so far north, Sunday. Woman killed in second rocket attack, Tuesday 2. Ashkelon: One man killed, several injured in rocket attack, Monday3. Sderot: rocket attacks4. Nevitot: One man killed, several injured in rocket attack, Saturday5. Civilian family reported killed in attack on Yabna refugee camp, Sunday 6. Israeli warplanes strike tunnels under Gaza/Egypt border, Sunday7. Three brothers reported killed in attack on Rafah, Sunday8. Khan Younis: Four members of Islamic Jihad and a child reported killed, Sunday. Security officer killed in air strike on Hamas police station, Tuesday 9. Deir al-Balah: Palestinians injured, houses and buildings destroyed, Sunday 10. Tel al-Hawa - Interior ministry and Islamic University badly damaged, Monday. At least three buildings in ministry compound hit, Tuesday11. Gaza City port: naval vessels targeted, Sunday 12. Shati refugee camp: Home of Hamas leader Ismail Haniya targeted, Monday 13. Intelligence building attacked, Sunday14. Jebaliya refugee camp: several people killed in attack on mosque, Sunday 15. Beit Hanoun - two girls killed in air strike, Tuesday16. Israeli soldier killed at unspecified military base near Nahal Oz border crossing - five other soldiers wounded in same rocket attack, Monday night.
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