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Gaza hit by new Israeli strikes Gaza hit by new Israeli strikes
(about 1 hour later)
Three Palestinians have been killed and dozens more injured by new Israel tank fire and air strikes on the Gaza Strip, medical sources say. Israel says it carried out more than 60 air strikes overnight on the Gaza Strip, as its cabinet prepares to discuss stepping up the offensive.
Reports of the deaths came hours after Israel dropped leaflets warning Gazans to stay away from areas used by Hamas, saying its operation would escalate. The home of the head of Hamas' military wing was among the targets, Israel said. There are now reports of heavy clashes on Gaza City's outskirts.
In Syria, Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal said the conflict in Gaza had killed any chance of a settlement with Israel. Gaza militants fired several rockets into Israel overnight, reports said.
Some 820 Gazans and 13 Israelis have reportedly died in 14 days of fighting. Israel's security cabinet is meeting to decide whether to push forces further into Gaza's densely populated areas.
Of the three reported deaths on Sunday, one woman was killed by Israeli artillery fire in the southern Gaza Strip, Reuters reported. The BBC's Mike Sergeant in Jerusalem says Israeli commanders are said to be getting impatient as the government ponders its next move.
On Saturday night, Palestinian medics accused Israeli forces of firing white phosphorous shells at a village, a claim Israel strongly denied.
Leaflets dropped
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said its air strikes into Sunday morning had targeted tunnels, weapons stores and a mosque that was allegedly used to store weapons.
Its ground forces were involved in a "number of incidents", the IDF said.
Analysis: Where is Israel heading?Why Gaza war looks set to go onIn pictures: Crisis into third week
The strikes came hours after Israel dropped leaflets and left phone messages warning Gazans to stay away from areas used by Hamas and saying its operation would soon enter "phase three".
Some 820 Gazans and 13 Israelis have reportedly died in 14 days of fighting. Medical staff said 235 children are among at least 820 Palestinians killed in the conflict.
Israel is preventing international journalists from entering the coastal strip, and none of the figures can be independently confirmed.
At least three deaths were reported on Sunday, including a woman killed by Israeli artillery fire in the southern Gaza Strip, according to Reuters news agency.
Two militants were also killed by an air strike while in a car on a coastal road, medical workers said.Two militants were also killed by an air strike while in a car on a coastal road, medical workers said.
In the latest attacks, dozens of Palestinians were reportedly injured in southern Gaza, near the village of Khouza to the east of Khan Younis. And dozens of Palestinians were reportedly injured in southern Gaza, near the village of Khouza to the east of Khan Younis.
Palestinian medics in the area said many of those injured were suffering from burns and gas inhalations - symptoms they said indicate exposure to white phosphorous. Palestinian medics said many of the casualties were suffering from burns and gas inhalations - symptoms they said indicate exposure to white phosphorous.
The reports could not be independently confirmed. Although white phosphorous is legal in munitions, its use against civilians is banned under international law. GAZA CRISIS BACKGROUND class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/5122404.stm">Profile: Gaza Strip class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7818022.stm">Q&A: Gaza conflict class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/1654510.stm">Who are Hamas? class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7380642.stm">Middle East conflict: History in maps
But Israel's military categorically denied the claims, saying all weapons used by Israel were legal.
Although white phosphorous is legal in munitions, its use against civilians is banned under international law.
New York-based rights group Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of using white phosphorous in its current Gaza operations.New York-based rights group Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of using white phosphorous in its current Gaza operations.
Israel's military categorically denied the reports from Khouza, saying all weapons used by Israel used complied with the law. Our correspondent says the diplomacy appears to be moving slowly as well.
Although Gaza is one of the most densely-populated territories in the world, there are areas of open ground on the fringes of the built-up districts. Diplomats have suggested an international force to police Gaza's border with Egypt, and stop weapons being smuggled, but Cairo rejected this on Saturday.
'The third stage' A senior Israeli official raised doubts about the proposal, saying Egypt's security forces might be better able to secure its boundary with Gaza and stop Hamas rearming.
Saturday's leaflet drop prompted speculation Israel is poised to adopt new tactics in its battle with Palestinian militants. class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7821512.stm">Analysis: Where is Israel heading? class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7820680.stm">Why Gaza war looks set to go on class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7822083.stm">In pictures: Crisis into third week And speaking from exile in the Syrian capital Damascus, Hamas' leader said "any foreign troops would be considered as occupiers".
Phone messages in Arabic urged residents to keep away from sites linked to Hamas, saying that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) were not targeting Gazans but "Hamas and the terrorists only". Khaled Meshaal also condemned the Israeli offensive as a "holocaust".
One phone message said "the third stage" of the operation would start soon. It is two weeks since air strikes on Gaza began. The ground attacks started a week ago.
Correspondents say "phase three" could see Israeli forces moving deeper into cities and refugee camps - involving new risks for Israeli soldiers and civilians in the Gaza Strip.
As Hamas militants reportedly fired more than 30 rockets across the border on Saturday, Israel launched more than 70 attacks by air, land and sea on what it said were rocket-launching sites, weapons stores and smuggling tunnels.
Medical staff said 235 children are among at least 820 Palestinians killed in the conflict.
Israel is preventing international journalists from entering the coastal strip, and none of the figures could not be independently confirmed. GAZA CRISIS BACKGROUND Profile: Gaza StripQ&A: Gaza conflictWho are Hamas?Middle East conflict: History in maps
In his speech from exile in Syria, Hamas political leader Khaled Meshaal condemned the Israeli offensive as a "holocaust".
He said the war in Gaza had brought resistance to every Palestinian household, adding a breakthrough would come only if Israel immediately stopped the bombardment, lifted the blockade of Gaza, opened all crossings and withdrew its troops.He said the war in Gaza had brought resistance to every Palestinian household, adding a breakthrough would come only if Israel immediately stopped the bombardment, lifted the blockade of Gaza, opened all crossings and withdrew its troops.
Tens of thousands of people also attended rallies held across the US, Europe and the Middle East against the Israeli offensive on Saturday. class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/7812136.stm">Gaza offensive - in maps class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7822656.stm">UK Jews demand Israeli ceasefire class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7819261.stm">Gaza survivors' accounts
Rocket fire On Saturday, Hamas militants reportedly fired more than 30 rockets across the border, while Israel launched more than 70 attacks by air, land and sea.
In Cairo, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas urged all sides to accept an Egyptian-French ceasefire initiative after meeting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. It came as Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas urged all sides to accept an Egyptian-French ceasefire initiative after meeting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
Egypt negotiated the last ceasefire between Hamas and Israel but, correspondents say, this conflict has strained an already difficult relationship between Cairo and Hamas. class="" href="/2/hi/middle_east/7812136.stm">Gaza offensive - in maps class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7822656.stm">UK Jews demand Israeli ceasefire class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7819261.stm">Gaza survivors' accounts Egypt negotiated the last ceasefire between Hamas and Israel but, correspondents say, this conflict has strained an already difficult relationship between Cairo and Hamas.
Hamas, which was elected in 2006 and took control of Gaza in June the following year, sent delegates to Cairo for the second time in a week for separate talks.Hamas, which was elected in 2006 and took control of Gaza in June the following year, sent delegates to Cairo for the second time in a week for separate talks.
But Mr Abbas - who heads the secular Fatah movement, bitter rivals of Hamas - does not control Gaza, and analysts say he will have 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 will have little impact on the course of the conflict.
Israel and Hamas have both ignored a UN Security Council call for an immediate ceasefire. Israel and Hamas have both ignored a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.
Israel says the continued rocket attacks showed the resolution was "unworkable", while Hamas insists any truce must include the ending of Israel's economic blockade of Gaza.
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 latest violence erupted as a six-month truce between Israel and Hamas unravelled in November and comes one month before a parliamentary election in Israel.The latest violence erupted as a six-month truce between Israel and Hamas unravelled in November and comes one month before a parliamentary election in Israel.
Tens of thousands of people also attended rallies held across the US, Europe and the Middle East against the Israeli offensive on Saturday.
Are you in Gaza? Did you see these leaflets dropped in your area? Tell us your about what is happening near you by filling in the form below.Are you in Gaza? Did you see these leaflets dropped in your area? Tell us your about what is happening near you by filling in the form below.
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