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UN head set for talks on Gaza UN head set for talks on Gaza
(30 minutes later)
Israel is continuing its military drive into Gaza as UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon heads to Cairo in an effort to secure an end to 19 days of fighting.Israel is continuing its military drive into Gaza as UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon heads to Cairo in an effort to secure an end to 19 days of fighting.
Mr Ban is scheduled to meet Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak as part of the most intensive diplomatic effort yet to end Israel's battle with Hamas.Mr Ban is scheduled to meet Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak as part of the most intensive diplomatic effort yet to end Israel's battle with Hamas.
He will then visit Israel and the West Bank as well as other regional powers.He will then visit Israel and the West Bank as well as other regional powers.
Israeli troops have entered Gaza City's suburbs and are engaging Hamas fighters on the streets in heavy gunfights.Israeli troops have entered Gaza City's suburbs and are engaging Hamas fighters on the streets in heavy gunfights.
Frightened residents of a heavily populated Gaza City neighbourhood ran for cover on Tuesday as Israeli special forces backed by tanks advanced several hundred metres into several areas hunting for militants.Frightened residents of a heavily populated Gaza City neighbourhood ran for cover on Tuesday as Israeli special forces backed by tanks advanced several hundred metres into several areas hunting for militants.
Mr Ban comes with a simple message, says the BBC's Laura Trevelyan who is travelling with the UN chief: the fighting must stop, too many people have died.Mr Ban comes with a simple message, says the BBC's Laura Trevelyan who is travelling with the UN chief: the fighting must stop, too many people have died.
Pressure on HamasPressure on Hamas
In his meetings with Palestinian and Israeli leaders, as well as senior politicians in Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Turkey, Mr Ban has said he will be encouraging initiatives to open border crossings and provide humanitarian aid to Gaza. GAZA CRISIS BACKGROUND In depth: Gaza conflictQ&A: Gaza conflictWho are Hamas?Middle East conflict: History in mapsIn his meetings with Palestinian and Israeli leaders, as well as senior politicians in Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Turkey, Mr Ban has said he will be encouraging initiatives to open border crossings and provide humanitarian aid to Gaza. GAZA CRISIS BACKGROUND In depth: Gaza conflictQ&A: Gaza conflictWho are Hamas?Middle East conflict: History in maps
But the UN chief is not scheduled to meet representatives of Hamas - which controls the Gaza Strip - and it is not clear whether he will go to Gaza itself during his week-long trip.But the UN chief is not scheduled to meet representatives of Hamas - which controls the Gaza Strip - and it is not clear whether he will go to Gaza itself during his week-long trip.
Mr Mubarak has already held talks with Saudi King Abdullah amid reports Cairo is putting increasing pressure on Hamas leaders to accept a truce proposal.Mr Mubarak has already held talks with Saudi King Abdullah amid reports Cairo is putting increasing pressure on Hamas leaders to accept a truce proposal.
One idea being floated, says our correspondent, is for Turkish troops to be deployed along Egypt's border with the Gaza Strip to prevent the smuggling of weapons.One idea being floated, says our correspondent, is for Turkish troops to be deployed along Egypt's border with the Gaza Strip to prevent the smuggling of weapons.
Israeli military officials say their country's lead negotiator has been sent to Cairo for what they call "decisive" talks on a ceasefire, the Associated Press news agency reported.
Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri has said any ceasefire agreement would have to entail a halt to Israeli attacks, a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and the opening of border crossings to end the blockade of Gaza.AdvertisementHamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri has said any ceasefire agreement would have to entail a halt to Israeli attacks, a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and the opening of border crossings to end the blockade of Gaza.Advertisement
Air strikes on Gaza cause devastationAir strikes on Gaza cause devastation
The Israeli foreign ministry has said there was no guarantee Hamas would respect any ceasefire agreement.The Israeli foreign ministry has said there was no guarantee Hamas would respect any ceasefire agreement.
Analysts say Israel may be holding back from all-out urban warfare in Gaza City, where intense street fighting could cause heavy casualties on both sides, which would be politically risky less than a month before Israel holds elections.Analysts say Israel may be holding back from all-out urban warfare in Gaza City, where intense street fighting could cause heavy casualties on both sides, which would be politically risky less than a month before Israel holds elections.
'Wiping out Palestinians''Wiping out Palestinians'
Nearly 1,000 Gazans have been killed, 4,400 have been injured, and an estimated 90,000 have fled their homes since Israel's offensive on Gaza began on 27 December, according to Palestinian figures.Nearly 1,000 Gazans have been killed, 4,400 have been injured, and an estimated 90,000 have fled their homes since Israel's offensive on Gaza began on 27 December, according to Palestinian figures.
Thirteen Israelis have died, three of them civilians, Israel says. Bowen diary: A just war?Gazan families: Pulling togetherIn pictures: Troops enter suburbsThirteen Israelis have died, three of them civilians, Israel says. Bowen diary: A just war?Gazan families: Pulling togetherIn pictures: Troops enter suburbs
It is impossible to independently confirm casualty figures as Israel has refused to allow international journalists to enter Gaza.It is impossible to independently confirm casualty figures as Israel has refused to allow international journalists to enter Gaza.
A UN watchdog has accused Israel of showing a "manifest disrespect" for the protection of children in Gaza.A UN watchdog has accused Israel of showing a "manifest disrespect" for the protection of children in Gaza.
More than 40% of those killed in Gaza were women or children, said the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, even though Israel had signed a UN protocol condemning attacks on places where children were likely to be present.More than 40% of those killed in Gaza were women or children, said the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, even though Israel had signed a UN protocol condemning attacks on places where children were likely to be present.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has accused Israel of trying to "wipe out" his people.Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has accused Israel of trying to "wipe out" his people.
But Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said the military operation would continue in order to stop Hamas rockets being fired into Israel and to prevent arms smuggling into Gaza.But Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said the military operation would continue in order to stop Hamas rockets being fired into Israel and to prevent arms smuggling into Gaza.
Asked if Israel's war aims had been achieved, he said: "Most of them, probably not all of them."Asked if Israel's war aims had been achieved, he said: "Most of them, probably not all of them."
And militants have kept up rocket attacks, firing 25 mortars and rockets into southern Israel on Tuesday, Israel's army said.And militants have kept up rocket attacks, firing 25 mortars and rockets into southern Israel on Tuesday, Israel's army said.
Both Hamas and Israel rejected last week's UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.Both Hamas and Israel rejected last week's UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.