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Israeli forces split Gaza in two Israeli forces split Gaza in two
(30 minutes later)
Israeli ground troops and heavy armour have moved deeper into the Gaza Strip, in effect cutting the territory in two.Israeli ground troops and heavy armour have moved deeper into the Gaza Strip, in effect cutting the territory in two.
Supported by a naval, air and land bombardment, forces have taken up positions on either side of Gaza City, and along a major east-west road.Supported by a naval, air and land bombardment, forces have taken up positions on either side of Gaza City, and along a major east-west road.
The Palestinian health ministry says more than 50 people have been killed since the ground operation began. One Israeli soldier has been killed. The Palestinian health ministry says 70 people have been killed since the ground operation began. One Israeli soldier has been killed.
Earlier, US Vice-President Dick Cheney defended the Israeli ground assault.Earlier, US Vice-President Dick Cheney defended the Israeli ground assault.
In an interview with CBS television, Mr Cheney said air attacks were not enough to destroy the sites from which militants were firing rockets into Israel.In an interview with CBS television, Mr Cheney said air attacks were not enough to destroy the sites from which militants were firing rockets into Israel.
He also said Israel had not sought US approval before entering Gaza.He also said Israel had not sought US approval before entering Gaza.
Israeli President Shimon Peres meanwhile rejected calls for a ceasefire, but insisted his country did not intend to re-occupy Gaza or crush Hamas.Israeli President Shimon Peres meanwhile rejected calls for a ceasefire, but insisted his country did not intend to re-occupy Gaza or crush Hamas.
The Palestinian Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas, said he was doing all he could to stop Israel's "vicious aggression".The Palestinian Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas, said he was doing all he could to stop Israel's "vicious aggression".
Map: Attacks day by dayHamas set for bitter battleGaza voices: Living with conflict Aid worker diary: Part eightMap: Attacks day by dayHamas set for bitter battleGaza voices: Living with conflict Aid worker diary: Part eight
A European Union mission has flown to the region. The bloc's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, said the crisis represented a failure of diplomacy.A European Union mission has flown to the region. The bloc's foreign policy chief, Javier Solana, said the crisis represented a failure of diplomacy.
In other developments:
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  • An Israeli missile hit a house in Shujaiya, killing a mother and four of her children, officials at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City told the BBC
  • At least 17 people were killed and 130 injured when Israeli shells fell near a school and the main market in Gaza City, Palestinian health ministry officials said
  • At least 32 missiles were fired into southern Israel from Gaza. Two people were lightly wounded in the Eshkol region, while one woman was slightly injured in Sderot
  • In the West Bank, there were angry protests against the Israeli offensive. A Palestinian man was shot dead by Israeli troops who confronted youths near the town of Qalqilya, medical sources said.
In other developments
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  • An Israeli missile hit a house in Shujaiya, killing a mother and four of her children, officials at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City told the BBC
  • At least 17 people were killed and 130 injured when Israeli shells fell near a school and the main market in Gaza City, Palestinian health ministry officials said
  • At least 32 missiles were fired into southern Israel from Gaza. Two people were lightly wounded in the Eshkol region, while one woman was slightly injured in Sderot
  • In the West Bank, there were angry protests against the Israeli offensive. A Palestinian man was shot dead by Israeli troops who confronted youths near the town of Qalqilya, medical sources said
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.
'Face-to-face battles''Face-to-face battles'
As night fell, widespread blackouts plunged much of Gaza into darkness. However, the flashes of explosions could clearly be seen from the northern border, and the regular sounds of gun and artillery fire heard. As night fell, blackouts plunged much of Gaza into darkness. However, the flashes of explosions could be seen from the northern border, and the regular sounds of gun and artillery fire heard.
During the day, the fighting appeared to move away from the northern end of the territory, towards more populous areas in the west, correspondents say.During the day, the fighting appeared to move away from the northern end of the territory, towards more populous areas in the west, correspondents say.
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
Later, Israeli military sources and witnesses said Israeli tanks and heavy armour had taken up positions on either side of Gaza City, in effect cutting Gaza into two parts, from the Karni crossing to the Mediterranean Sea.Later, Israeli military sources and witnesses said Israeli tanks and heavy armour had taken up positions on either side of Gaza City, in effect cutting Gaza into two parts, from the Karni crossing to the Mediterranean Sea.
The town of Beit Hanoun was also reportedly surrounded.The town of Beit Hanoun was also reportedly surrounded.
According to Hamas officials and witnesses, the main fighting is now centred on four areas: east of the Jabaliya refugee camp; in the Zeitoun neighbourhood to the east of Gaza City; on the coastal road close to the site of the former Jewish settlement of Netzarim, south of Gaza City; and in an uninhabited area in the centre of Gaza. According to Hamas officials and witnesses, the main fighting is now centred on five areas: east of the Jabaliya refugee camp; in the Zeitoun neighbourhood to the east of Gaza City; on the coastal road close to the site of the former Jewish settlement of Netzarim, south of Gaza City; in the centre of Gaza; and on the outskirts of the southern town of Khan Younis.
Hamas said its fighters were in some cases engaged in "face-to-face battles" with Israeli soldiers.Hamas said its fighters were in some cases engaged in "face-to-face battles" with Israeli soldiers.
Earlier, the Israeli military said the militants were not engaging its troops in close combat but using mortars and improvised bombs.Earlier, the Israeli military said the militants were not engaging its troops in close combat but using mortars and improvised bombs.
The Palestinian health ministry says more than 500 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have now been killed since the Israelis began their assault on Gaza eight days ago. A further 2,500 have been wounded. The Palestinian health ministry has said that 509 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have now been killed since the Israelis began their assault on Gaza eight days ago.
The Israeli military says one of its soldiers has been killed and 32 wounded in the ground offensive, at least three of them seriously. It believes about 80% of the Palestinians killed were Hamas members. It said that 21 of the 70 people killed since the start of the ground operation were children. The figures could not be independently verified.
Some 2,500 people have reportedly also been wounded, including about 300 since the beginning of the ground offensive.
The Israeli military says one of its soldiers has been killed and 34 wounded in the ground offensive, three of them seriously. It believes about 80% of the Palestinians killed were Hamas members.
Hamas officials say that 10 of its fighters have so far been killed.Hamas officials say that 10 of its fighters have so far been killed.
'Trickle of aid''Trickle of aid'
The BBC's Rushdi Abu Alouf in Gaza City says the fighting and Israeli positions have stopped desperately-needed medical supplies getting through to hospitals. The BBC's Rushdi Abu Alouf in Gaza City says the fighting and Israeli positions have stopped desperately needed medical supplies getting through to hospitals that are struggling to cope with the casualties.
Palestinian medical officials say the majority of those killed were civiliansPalestinian medical officials say the majority of those killed were civilians
On Sunday, Palestinian Health Minister Dr Fathi Abumoghli said the Israeli military was restricting the movement of ambulances, leading to casualties dying before they could receive treatment. One doctor and two paramedics had been killed, he said.On Sunday, Palestinian Health Minister Dr Fathi Abumoghli said the Israeli military was restricting the movement of ambulances, leading to casualties dying before they could receive treatment. One doctor and two paramedics had been killed, he said.
Later, the charity Oxfam also said a paramedic working for a partner organisation had been killed and two others injured by an Israeli shell.Later, the charity Oxfam also said a paramedic working for a partner organisation had been killed and two others injured by an Israeli shell.
Oxfam also complained that the "trickle of humanitarian aid that Israel has sometimes allowed in" had dried up since the start of the ground offensive, and said it had been forced to suspend its work, apart from emergency medical aid.Oxfam also complained that the "trickle of humanitarian aid that Israel has sometimes allowed in" had dried up since the start of the ground offensive, and said it had been forced to suspend its work, apart from emergency medical aid.
The Israeli government says 400 truckloads of humanitarian aid has been allowed into Gaza since the operation began, but many agencies say deliveries have been insufficient, and that it is difficult to get supplies to where they are most needed.The Israeli government says 400 truckloads of humanitarian aid has been allowed into Gaza since the operation began, but many agencies say deliveries have been insufficient, and that it is difficult to get supplies to where they are most needed.
The main aid crossing point at Rafah has also been closed while Israel troops attempt to destroy tunnels under the border with Egypt.The main aid crossing point at Rafah has also been closed while Israel troops attempt to destroy tunnels under the border with Egypt.