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Israel steps up offensive on Gaza Israel steps up offensive on Gaza
(20 minutes later)
The Israeli military has stepped up its attacks on Gaza, as the offensive on Hamas enters its second week.The Israeli military has stepped up its attacks on Gaza, as the offensive on Hamas enters its second week.
Israeli artillery began to bombard the Gaza Strip for what is thought to be the first time during the offensive. There have also been more air strikes. Israeli artillery began to bombard the territory for what is thought to be the first time during the offensive, and more air strikes were launched.
Correspondents say the activity could be an indication the Israeli military is preparing to launch a ground attack.Correspondents say the activity could be an indication the Israeli military is preparing to launch a ground attack.
Reports are meanwhile coming in from Gaza that a mosque has been hit in Beit Lahiya during evening prayers. In one attack, at least 10 people were killed when a shell hit a mosque in Beit Lahiya, Palestinian sources said.
At least 10 people are reported to have been killed, including women and children, according to the AFP news agency. Witnesses said more than 200 people had been inside the Ibrahim al-Maqadna mosque for evening prayers when it was struck.
Thousands of people around the world have been attending protests calling for an immediate ceasefire. Palestinian medics and Hamas officials said they believed dozens were injured.
Hamas defiant
Overnight, another Hamas military commander, Abu Zakaria Al-Jamal, was killed in an air strike.
Earlier, the exiled political leader of Hamas, Khalid Meshaal, warned Israel against a ground offensive, saying a "black destiny" awaited its forces if they invaded.Earlier, the exiled political leader of Hamas, Khalid Meshaal, warned Israel against a ground offensive, saying a "black destiny" awaited its forces if they invaded.
US President George W Bush blamed the violence firmly on Hamas, and said any ceasefire should be internationally monitored to prevent the militant group re-arming.US President George W Bush blamed the violence firmly on Hamas, and said any ceasefire should be internationally monitored to prevent the militant group re-arming.
Israel has now carried out more than 700 strikes on Gaza since launching the offensive a week ago, the AFP news agency says.
The UN has warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis, and believes 25% of the more than 400 Palestinians killed by Israel so far were civilians.
Four Israelis have been killed by rockets fired from Gaza.