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Israeli troops clash with Hamas Israeli troops clash with Hamas
(about 2 hours 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: class="bulletList">
  • 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:
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    • Israeli President Shimon Peres says his country does not intend to occupy Gaza or crush Hamas, but "to crush terror". "We shall not accept the idea that Hamas will continue to fire and we shall declare a ceasefire," he says
    • 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 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-run media report the capture of two Israeli soldiers, but the Israeli army says it has no knowledge of the claim
    • At least 32 missiles are fired into Israel from Gaza, targeting communities close to the border. Two people are lightly wounded in the Eshkol region, while 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 senior Hamas military commander, Jihad Hamdan, is critically wounded in an air strike in the southern town of Khan Younis
    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.
    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 violenceIn 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 from the Karni crossing to the sea, 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 involved in battles on the outskirts of Gaza City, and the northern town of Beit Lahiya. Troops have also taken control of the site of the former Jewish settlement of Netzarim.
    Israeli troops have meanwhile taken control of the site of the former Jewish settlement of Netzarim, just south of Gaza City. The Israeli military says Hamas fighters are not engaging them in close combat. Instead, they are using mortars and improvised bombs.
    According to witnesses, Israeli troops have largely remained in the open and not entered urban areas. Palestinian medical officials inside Gaza say at least 35 people have been killed in the fighting since Saturday evening, several of them civilians, and dozens were injured.
    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 army said one of its soldiers had been killed and 32 wounded in the ground offensive, at least two of them seriously.
    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.
    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, which has killed four Israelis in the past nine days, 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. The UN has warned of a worsening humanitarian crisis, and believes a quarter of the 500 Palestinians killed by Israel so far were civilians. Israel says about 80% of those killed were Hamas militants. A further 2,500 Palestinians have been wounded.
    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. On Sunday, Palestinian Health Minister Dr Fathi Abumoghli said the Israeli military was restricting the movement of ambulances, leading to many casualties dying before they could receive treatment. One physician and two healthcare workers had been killed, he said.
    The UN relief agency in Gaza, Unrwa, meanwhile said that about 1,200 people whose homes had been damaged or were in areas hit by fighting had fled to shelters it had set up.
    Unrwa, which provides food rations for some 750,000 people, said it would continue distribution despite the fighting, but that its stocks of flour would run out in three days.
    The Israeli authorities have co-ordinated deliveries of aid since the offensive began, but agencies say they have been insufficient, and that it is difficult to get supplies to where they are most needed.