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Israeli troops clash with Hamas Israeli troops clash with Hamas
(40 minutes later)
Israeli ground forces are battling Palestinian fighters in the Gaza Strip, after Israel stepped up its operation to halt rocket attacks by militants.Israeli ground forces are battling Palestinian fighters in the Gaza Strip, after Israel stepped up its operation to halt rocket attacks by militants.
Clashes increased in the north with both sides announcing casualties as Israeli troops cut the territory in two and in effect surrounded Gaza City.Clashes increased in the north with both sides announcing casualties as Israeli troops cut the territory in two and in effect surrounded Gaza City.
Scores of Israeli tanks are said to have penetrated deep inside Gaza.Scores of Israeli tanks are said to have penetrated deep inside Gaza.
Many world leaders have called for an immediate ceasefire, but the US has backed its ally Israel. Many world leaders have called for an immediate ceasefire, but the US has backed its ally, Israel.
A European Union delegation is beginning a visit to the region, and Russia says it will send its envoy.A European Union delegation is beginning a visit to the region, and Russia says it will send its envoy.
Earlier the United Nations Security Council failed to agree a united approach to the crisis.Earlier the United Nations Security Council failed to agree a united approach to the crisis.
Diplomatic sources said the United States had blocked an agreement. US Ambassador Alejandro Wolff suggested that an official statement that criticised both Israel and Hamas would not have been helpful.Diplomatic sources said the United States had blocked an agreement. US Ambassador Alejandro Wolff suggested that an official statement that criticised both Israel and Hamas would not have been helpful.
In pictures: New phase beginsDecision of arms not diplomacyFormidable force fights HamasBrown urges end to Gaza violenceIn pictures: New phase beginsDecision of arms not diplomacyFormidable force fights HamasBrown urges end to Gaza violence
In other developments:In other developments:
  • A Palestinian man is shot dead in the West Bank by Israeli troops during stone-throwing clashes, medical and security forces say.
  • Many civilians are killed when two Israeli shells fall near a school and the main market in Gaza City
  • Hamas radio and TV report the capture of two Israeli soldiers during the fighting, but the Israeli army says it has no knowledge of the claim
  • In his first public comments since the ground offensive began, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says the operation was "unavoidable", but that he will not allow a humanitarian crisis in Gaza
  • At least 25 missiles are fired into Israel from Gaza, targeting Sderot, Netivot and other communities close to the border. One woman is slightly injured in Sderot
  • A tank shell fired in northern Gaza kills 12 people, most of them civilians, Palestinian sources say
  • A Palestinian man is shot dead in the West Bank by Israeli troops during stone-throwing clashes, medical and security forces say.
  • Many civilians are killed when two Israeli shells fall near a school and the main market in Gaza City
  • Hamas radio and TV report the capture of two Israeli soldiers during the fighting, but the Israeli army says it has no knowledge of the claim
  • In his first public comments since the ground offensive began, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says the operation was "unavoidable", but that he will not allow a humanitarian crisis in Gaza
  • At least 25 missiles are fired into Israel from Gaza, targeting Sderot, Netivot and other communities close to the border. One woman is slightly injured in Sderot
  • A tank shell fired in northern Gaza kills 12 people, most of them civilians, Palestinian sources say
Many claims cannot be verified. Israel is refusing to let international journalists into Gaza, despite a Supreme Court ruling to allow a limited number of reporters to enter the territory.Many claims cannot be verified. Israel is refusing to let international journalists into Gaza, despite a Supreme Court ruling to allow a limited number of reporters to enter the territory.
Northern battlesNorthern battles
As dawn broke on Sunday, a large plume of black smoke could be seen rising from part of the northern part of the Gaza Strip.As dawn broke on Sunday, a large plume of black smoke could be seen rising from part of the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
Timeline: Week of attacksAid worker diary: Part sevenUK protests over Gaza air strikesGaza voices: Family fears Correspondents say there was a constant sound of machine-gun fire and explosions, as Israeli forces pounded Gaza from land and sea. The shelling went on throughout the night. Timeline: Week of attacksAid worker diary: Part sevenUK protests over Gaza air strikesGaza voices: Family fears
Correspondents say there was a constant sound of machine-gun fire and explosions, as Israeli forces pounded Gaza from land and sea. The shelling went on throughout the night.
Witnesses say the attack began when Israeli military convoys supported by attack helicopters crossed into northern Gaza at four separate points after nightfall on Saturday.Witnesses say the attack began when Israeli military convoys supported by attack helicopters crossed into northern Gaza at four separate points after nightfall on Saturday.
The Israeli military said it had infantry, artillery, engineering and intelligence forces inside Gaza.The Israeli military said it had infantry, artillery, engineering and intelligence forces inside Gaza.
Scores of advancing Israeli tanks were reported to be in battles around Gaza City and the northern towns of Beit Lahiya and Jabaliya.Scores of advancing Israeli tanks were reported to be in battles around Gaza City and the northern towns of Beit Lahiya and Jabaliya.
The territory has been cut in two and the operation in the north has intensified, with the town of Beit Hanoun apparently surrounded. The territory has been cut in two along the Salah al-Din Road and the operation in the north has intensified, with the town of Beit Hanoun apparently surrounded.
Israeli troops have taken control of the former Jewish settlement of Netzarim, just south of Gaza City, which is in effect surrounded. Israeli troops have taken control of the site of the former Jewish settlement of Netzarim, just south of Gaza City, which is in effect surrounded.
An overnight bombardment was also reported in Rafah, on the southern border with Egypt, but there have been no signs of a ground offensive there.An overnight bombardment was also reported in Rafah, on the southern border with Egypt, but there have been no signs of a ground offensive there.
According to witnesses, Israeli troops have largely remained in the open and not entered urban areas.According to witnesses, Israeli troops have largely remained in the open and not entered urban areas.
HAVE YOUR SAY Violence brings only more violence. If the killing doesn't stop there would be no truce. Nour Hafez, Kuwait Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Violence brings only more violence. If the killing doesn't stop there would be no truce. Nour Hafez, Kuwait Send us your comments
Israeli sources say Hamas is not engaging in close combat but using mortars and bombs.Israeli sources say Hamas is not engaging in close combat but using mortars and bombs.
The Israeli military said 40 sites had been targeted, including tunnels used for smuggling, weapons depots and rocket launch sites.The Israeli military said 40 sites had been targeted, including tunnels used for smuggling, weapons depots and rocket launch sites.
Sources inside Gaza say at least 20 people were killed in overnight fighting, several of them civilians, and dozens were injured. Sources inside Gaza say at least 30 people were killed in overnight fighting, several of them civilians, and dozens were injured.
The Israeli army said 30 of its soldiers had been wounded in the ground offensive, two of them seriously.The Israeli army said 30 of its soldiers had been wounded in the ground offensive, two of them seriously.
'Long campaign''Long campaign'
An Israeli military source told the BBC it was unrealistic to stop all the rocket fire, but the army believes it can be decreased and made less accurate.An Israeli military source told the BBC it was unrealistic to stop all the rocket fire, but the army believes it can be decreased and made less accurate.
The objective, he said, was not to recapture the Gaza strip, but plans had been drawn up to unseat Hamas and if the order was given it could be done, although it would be a long campaign. The objective, he said, was not to recapture the Gaza Strip, but plans had been drawn up to unseat Hamas and if the order was given it could be done, although it would be a long campaign.
UN fails to reach Gaza consensusUN fails to reach Gaza consensus
The move into Gaza had been preceded by some of the heaviest Israeli air and artillery attacks on the territory in more than a week of bombardment.The move into Gaza had been preceded by some of the heaviest Israeli air and artillery attacks on the territory in more than a week of bombardment.
"Our aim is to force Hamas to stop its hostile activities against Israel and Israelis from Gaza, and to bring about a significant change in the situation in the southern part of Israel," Mr Barak told a news conference."Our aim is to force Hamas to stop its hostile activities against Israel and Israelis from Gaza, and to bring about a significant change in the situation in the southern part of Israel," Mr Barak told a news conference.
The BBC's Jeremy Bowen on the Gaza border says it is also clear that Israel is sending a message to its other enemies, especially Hezbollah, whose capacity was not reduced by Israel's incursion in southern Lebanon in 2006.The BBC's Jeremy Bowen on the Gaza border says it is also clear that Israel is sending a message to its other enemies, especially Hezbollah, whose capacity was not reduced by Israel's incursion in southern Lebanon in 2006.
Israeli warplanes and naval vessels have carried out more than 800 strikes on the Gaza Strip since the offensive started eight days ago, including 40 on Saturday.Israeli warplanes and naval vessels have carried out more than 800 strikes on the Gaza Strip since the offensive started eight days ago, including 40 on Saturday.
The UN has warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis, and believes a quarter of the 470 Palestinians killed by Israel so far were civilians. Israel says about 80% of those killed were Hamas militants. Four Israelis have been killed by rocket fire from Gaza. The UN has warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis, and believes a quarter of the 485 Palestinians killed by Israel so far were civilians. Israel says about 80% of those killed were Hamas militants. Four Israelis have been killed by rocket fire from Gaza.