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Gaza conflict enters third week Gaza conflict enters third week
(20 minutes later)
Israel has continued to pound Gaza a week after sending in ground troops, despite the UN voicing disappointment ceasefire calls had not been heeded.Israel has continued to pound Gaza a week after sending in ground troops, despite the UN voicing disappointment ceasefire calls had not been heeded.
Israel said it launched 40 overnight air strikes targeting Hamas militants firing rockets at Israeli towns.Israel said it launched 40 overnight air strikes targeting Hamas militants firing rockets at Israeli towns.
Senior Palestinian officials are in Egypt for talks on how to end the Gaza conflict, which began two weeks ago.Senior Palestinian officials are in Egypt for talks on how to end the Gaza conflict, which began two weeks ago.
Health officials in Gaza say nearly 800 Palestinians have died. Israel says 13 Israelis have been killed.Health officials in Gaza say nearly 800 Palestinians have died. Israel says 13 Israelis have been killed.
Israel said its fresh wave of air strikes into Saturday morning had targeted weapons storage facilities and smuggling tunnels. The fresh wave of air strikes into Saturday morning had targeted weapons storage facilities and smuggling tunnels, according to Israel.
'Ground fire''Ground fire'
It also said there had been exchanges of fire between its military and militants on the ground in Gaza.It also said there had been exchanges of fire between its military and militants on the ground in Gaza.
This situation will not improve until Hamas stops lobbing rockets into Israel Scott StanzelWhite House spokesman Analysis: Where is Israel heading?Why Gaza war looks sets to go onCan Palestinian feud be mended?Gaza survivors' accountsThis situation will not improve until Hamas stops lobbing rockets into Israel Scott StanzelWhite House spokesman Analysis: Where is Israel heading?Why Gaza war looks sets to go onCan Palestinian feud be mended?Gaza survivors' accounts
But the BBC's Mike Sergeant, in Jerusalem, says reports from inside Gaza suggest Israeli troops are still not entering the most densely populated areas.But the BBC's Mike Sergeant, in Jerusalem, says reports from inside Gaza suggest Israeli troops are still not entering the most densely populated areas.
Israel is preventing international journalists from entering the coastal strip.Israel is preventing international journalists from entering the coastal strip.
Gaza residents said Israeli warplanes had attacked unoccupied buildings and sites in Khan Younis, in Beit Lahiya and around Gaza City in the early hours.Gaza residents said Israeli warplanes had attacked unoccupied buildings and sites in Khan Younis, in Beit Lahiya and around Gaza City in the early hours.
Both sides on Friday ignored a UN Security Council call for an immediate ceasefire to the conflict, which began on 27 December.Both sides on Friday ignored a UN Security Council call for an immediate ceasefire to the conflict, which began on 27 December.
Hamas rejected the move first, saying it had not been consulted on the resolution. It insisted any truce must include the ending of Israel's economic blockade of the Gaza Strip.Hamas rejected the move first, saying it had not been consulted on the resolution. It insisted any truce must include the ending of Israel's economic blockade of the Gaza Strip.
'Unworkable''Unworkable'
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the continued rocket attacks on Israel showed the resolution was "unworkable".Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the continued rocket attacks on Israel showed the resolution was "unworkable".
Late on Friday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon telephoned Mr Olmert to express his disappointment that violence was continuing on the ground in disregard of the ceasefire call.Late on Friday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon telephoned Mr Olmert to express his disappointment that violence was continuing on the ground in disregard of the ceasefire call.
The United States, which abstained in the UN vote, offered further public support for Israel's military goals.The United States, which abstained in the UN vote, offered further public support for Israel's military goals.
GAZA CRISIS BACKGROUND Profile: Gaza StripQ&A: Gaza conflictWho are Hamas?Middle East conflict: History in mapsGAZA CRISIS BACKGROUND Profile: Gaza StripQ&A: Gaza conflictWho are Hamas?Middle East conflict: History in maps
"This situation will not improve until Hamas stops lobbing rockets into Israel," White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said."This situation will not improve until Hamas stops lobbing rockets into Israel," White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said.
Aid agencies say Gaza's 1.5 million residents are in urgent need of food and medical aid.Aid agencies say Gaza's 1.5 million residents are in urgent need of food and medical aid.
The UN is expected to resume aid distribution on Saturday for Palestinians in Gaza after receiving security assurances from Israel.The UN is expected to resume aid distribution on Saturday for Palestinians in Gaza after receiving security assurances from Israel.
The UN Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa) had suspended its Gaza operations on Thursday after one of its workers was killed by Israeli fire.The UN Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa) had suspended its Gaza operations on Thursday after one of its workers was killed by Israeli fire.
Diplomats have been looking to talks in Egypt for any progress.Diplomats have been looking to talks in Egypt for any progress.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is having talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt.Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is having talks with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt.
But Mr Abbas - who heads the secular Fatah movement, bitter rivals of Hamas - does not control Gaza, and analysts say he has little impact on the course of the conflict.But Mr Abbas - who heads the secular Fatah movement, bitter rivals of Hamas - does not control Gaza, and analysts say he has little impact on the course of the conflict.
Hamas, which took control of Gaza in June 2007, has also sent delegates to Cairo.Hamas, which took control of Gaza in June 2007, has also sent delegates to Cairo.
Gaza offensive - in mapsGaza offensive - in maps
Egypt negotiated the last ceasefire between Hamas and Israel but, correspondents say, this conflict has strained an already difficult relationship between Cairo and Hamas.Egypt negotiated the last ceasefire between Hamas and Israel but, correspondents say, this conflict has strained an already difficult relationship between Cairo and Hamas.
Demonstrations have been held in many countries over the violence, which erupted as a six-month truce between Israel and Hamas unravelled in November.Demonstrations have been held in many countries over the violence, which erupted as a six-month truce between Israel and Hamas unravelled in November.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to join a protest in the British capital, London, later on Saturday, organisers say.Tens of thousands of people are expected to join a protest in the British capital, London, later on Saturday, organisers say.
The Israeli ambassador to Venezuela, meanwhile, has left the country after being expelled by President Hugo Chavez because of the conflict.The Israeli ambassador to Venezuela, meanwhile, has left the country after being expelled by President Hugo Chavez because of the conflict.
The Gaza onslaught comes one month before a parliamentary election in Israel.The Gaza onslaught comes one month before a parliamentary election in Israel.


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