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Israeli troops fight in Gaza City Israel is 'nearing Gaza goals'
(about 2 hours later)
Israeli soldiers have clashed with Palestinian gunmen on the outskirts of Gaza City, as Israel's cabinet said it would continue its offensive. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said Israel is nearing the goals of its military campaign in the Gaza Strip, as he signalled it would continue.
Overnight Israeli warplanes launched 60 air strikes and militants fired a barrage of rockets at southern Israel. He urged more patience and effort, as Israel's troops reportedly engaged in fierce fighting in Gaza City.
About 850 Gazans and 13 Israelis have reportedly died in 16 days of fighting. Palestinian medical sources say 29 people were killed across Gaza on Sunday - 17 in Gaza City.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army has denied illegally using weapons after claims it deployed white phosphorus bombs on civilians in Gaza. Israeli officials say at least 12 rockets have been fired by Palestinian militants into southern Israel.
Army spokesman Capt Guy Spigelman told the BBC that Israel "categorically denied" using the munition in Gaza, saying other "smoke bombs and flares" were being used. Palestinian doctors say the total number of Palestinians who have been killed since the Israeli offensive began on 27 December is 879. Thirteen Israelis - 10 soldiers and three civilians - have died.
Offensive to go on 'Impressive gains'
As Israel's cabinet met in Jerusalem to consider its next move, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert signalled that the operation would continue. As Israel's cabinet met in Jerusalem to consider its next move, Prime Minister Olmert said: "This is a time to translate our achievements into the goals we have set.
Analysis: Where is Israel heading?Why Gaza war looks set to go onIn pictures: Crisis into third weekAnalysis: Where is Israel heading?Why Gaza war looks set to go onIn pictures: Crisis into third week
"This is a time to translate our achievements into the goals we have set," he said at the start of the meeting. He praised the military's "impressive gains " in Gaza, adding: "Israel is nearing the goals which it set itself, but more patience, determination and effort is still demanded."
"Israel is approaching these goals, but more patience and determination are required in order to reach these goals." Referring to last week's UN Security Council call for an immediate ceasefire, Mr Olmert said "nobody should be allowed to decide for us if we are allowed to strike". Both Hamas and Israel have rejected the UN resolution.
The BBC's Mike Sergeant in Jerusalem says Israeli commanders are thought to be getting impatient as the government ponders its next move. The BBC's Mike Sergeant in Jerusalem says the military operation could well intensify before it ends.
Israel unleashed its Operation Cast Lead on 27 December as a six-month truce between it and Hamas unravelled. It comes weeks before a parliamentary election in Israel. Phosphorus controversy
The Israeli army meanwhile denied deploying white phosphorus bombs in Gaza, after Palestinian medics said they had treated patients for burns caused by the munition.
Army spokesman Capt Guy Spigelman told the BBC that Israel "categorically denied" using white phosphorus in Gaza, saying other "smoke bombs and flares" were being deployed.
Israel unleashed its Operation Cast Lead as a six-month truce between it and Hamas unravelled. It comes weeks before a parliamentary election in Israel.
Israel hopes the onslaught will greatly reduce the number of missiles fired from Gaza onto Israeli towns, and also erode support for Hamas.Israel hopes the onslaught will greatly reduce the number of missiles fired from Gaza onto Israeli towns, and also erode support for Hamas.
The Islamist movement won elections in Gaza in 2006 before seizing control of the coastal strip a year later, ousting its secular Palestinian rival Fatah, which now holds sway in parts of the West Bank.
On Sunday two rockets launched by militants in Gaza struck 42 km (26 miles) inside southern Israel at the city of Beersheba, causing damage but no casualties.
Meanwhile, Palestinian medical officials said at least 10 people had died in fighting.
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
Israel is preventing international journalists from entering the coastal strip, and none of the figures can be independently confirmed. The Islamist movement won elections in Gaza in 2006 before seizing control of the coastal strip a year later, ousting its secular Palestinian rival Fatah, which now holds sway in parts of the West Bank.
In the north of the Gaza Strip, Palestinian doctors said Israeli tank fire had killed at least five civilians in Beit Lahiya. On Sunday militants fired a barrage of rockets from Gaza, two of which struck 42 km (26 miles) inside southern Israel at the city of Beersheba, causing damage but no casualties.
In clashes in Gaza City, at least 10 Palestinians died in a gun battle involving Israeli forces, while at least five Palestinian civilians were killed by Israeli tank fire further north at Beit Lahiya, said medical officials.
The home of Ahmed Jabari, the head of Hamas's military wing, was destroyed in an air strike at Shujaia, a suburb of densely-populated Gaza City, according to the Israeli military.The home of Ahmed Jabari, the head of Hamas's military wing, was destroyed in an air strike at Shujaia, a suburb of densely-populated Gaza City, according to the Israeli military.
Israel is preventing international journalists from entering the coastal strip, and none of the incidents can be independently confirmed.
'Holocaust'
Israel said its warplanes had also bombed sites on the Egypt-Gaza frontier near the town of Rafah, including a mosque allegedly used as a weapons storage depot and militant training camp.Israel said its warplanes had also bombed sites on the Egypt-Gaza frontier near the town of Rafah, including a mosque allegedly used as a weapons storage depot and militant training camp.
'Ambush'
Its ground forces were involved in a "number of incidents" as they pushed into the south of Gaza City and reached a key junction to its north, the Israeli military said.Its ground forces were involved in a "number of incidents" as they pushed into the south of Gaza City and reached a key junction to its north, the Israeli military said.
Gaza offensive - in mapsUK Jews demand Israeli ceasefireGaza survivors' accountsGaza offensive - in mapsUK Jews demand Israeli ceasefireGaza survivors' accounts
Reports quoted Hamas and the smaller militant group Islamic Jihad as saying they had ambushed the Israelis, engaging them in heavy fighting.Reports quoted Hamas and the smaller militant group Islamic Jihad as saying they had ambushed the Israelis, engaging them in heavy fighting.
Many Gaza City civilians have reportedly fled their homes.Many Gaza City civilians have reportedly fled their homes.
Israel dropped leaflets and left phone messages on Saturday warning Gazans to stay away from areas used by Hamas and that the operation would soon enter "phase three".Israel dropped leaflets and left phone messages on Saturday warning Gazans to stay away from areas used by Hamas and that the operation would soon enter "phase three".
On Sunday pro-Palestine demonstrations continued across the parts of the Far East and Middle East.On Sunday pro-Palestine demonstrations continued across the parts of the Far East and Middle East.
Speaking from exile in the Syrian capital Damascus on Saturday, Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal branded the Israeli operation a "holocaust," saying "the enemy has totally failed" and "created resistance in every house".Speaking from exile in the Syrian capital Damascus on Saturday, Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal branded the Israeli operation a "holocaust," saying "the enemy has totally failed" and "created resistance in every house".
Israel and Hamas have both ignored a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.
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.