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Israeli troops clash with Hamas Israeli troops clash with Hamas
(10 minutes later)
Israeli ground forces are battling Palestinian fighters in the Gaza Strip, after Israel intensified its operation to halt rocket attacks by militants.Israeli ground forces are battling Palestinian fighters in the Gaza Strip, after Israel intensified its operation to halt rocket attacks by militants.
Clashes increased in the north with both sides announcing casualties as Israeli troops in effect surrounded Gaza City and cut the territory in two.Clashes increased in the north with both sides announcing casualties as Israeli troops in effect surrounded Gaza City and cut the territory in two.
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.
Map: Attacks day by dayHamas set for bitter battleGaza voices: Living with conflict Map: Attacks day by dayHamas set for bitter battleGaza voices: Living with conflict
The EU foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, said the crisis represented a failure of diplomacy and everyone had to work hard to end the suffering and advance the peace process.The EU foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, said the crisis represented a failure of diplomacy and everyone had to work hard to end the suffering and advance the peace process.
In other developments:
  • In the West Bank, there are angry protests against the Israeli offensive. A Palestinian man is shot dead by Israeli troops who confronted youths near the town of Qalqilya, medical and security sources say
  • At least 17 people are killed and 130 injured when Israeli shells fall near a school and the main market in Gaza City, Palestinian health ministry officials tell the BBC.
  • 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 32 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
In other developments:
  • In the West Bank, there are angry protests against the Israeli offensive. A Palestinian man is shot dead by Israeli troops who confronted youths near the town of Qalqilya, medical and security sources say
  • At least 17 people are killed and 130 injured when Israeli shells fall near a school and the main market in Gaza City, Palestinian health ministry officials tell the BBC.
  • 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 32 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
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.
In pictures: Gaza ground offensiveAnalysis: Israel's faith in forceDecision of arms not diplomacyBrown urges end to Gaza violence
By late Sunday afternoon, large plumes of smoke could be seen rising over the northern part of the Gaza Strip as Israeli forces stepped up their offensive.By late Sunday afternoon, large plumes of smoke could be seen rising over the northern part of the Gaza Strip as Israeli forces stepped up their offensive.
In pictures: Gaza ground offensiveAnalysis: Israel's faith in forceDecision of arms not diplomacyBrown urges end to Gaza violence
The BBC's Mike Sergeant on the border with Israel says that although the sounds of explosions, gunfire and helicopters remain constant, the fighting seems to be moving away from the northern end of the territory, and heading further west.The BBC's Mike Sergeant on the border with Israel says that although the sounds of explosions, gunfire and helicopters remain constant, the fighting seems to be moving away from the northern end of the territory, and heading further west.
Israeli tanks and heavy armour appear to have moved in on either side of Gaza City, in effect cutting the territory into two along the Salah al-Din Road, he adds. The town of Beit Hanoun has also reportedly been surrounded.Israeli tanks and heavy armour appear to have moved in on either side of Gaza City, in effect cutting the territory into two along the Salah al-Din Road, he adds. The town of Beit Hanoun has also reportedly been surrounded.
Scores of advancing Israeli tanks are reported to be in battles around Gaza City and the northern towns of Beit Lahiya and the Jabaliya refugee camp.Scores of advancing Israeli tanks are reported to be in battles around Gaza City and the northern towns of Beit Lahiya and the Jabaliya refugee camp.
Israeli troops have meanwhile taken control of the site of the former Jewish settlement of Netzarim, just south of Gaza City.Israeli troops have meanwhile taken control of the site of the former Jewish settlement of Netzarim, just south of Gaza City.
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.
The Israeli military says that Hamas fighters are not engaging with them in close combat. Instead, they are using mortars and improvised bombs.The Israeli military says that Hamas fighters are not engaging with them in close combat. Instead, they are using mortars and improvised 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 30 people have been killed in the fighting since Saturday evening, several of them civilians, and dozens were injured.Sources inside Gaza say at least 30 people have been killed in the fighting since Saturday evening, several of them civilians, and dozens were injured.
The Israeli army said one of its soldiers had been killed and at least 30 wounded in the ground offensive, two of them seriously. The Israeli army said one of its soldiers had been killed and 32 wounded in the ground offensive, at least one of them critically.
'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.
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
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.
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 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.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.