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Egypt PM Hisham Qandil decries Gaza 'disaster' Egypt PM Hisham Qandil decries Gaza 'disaster'
(35 minutes later)
Egypt's prime minister has condemned Israeli attacks on Gaza as a disaster during a short visit to the territory. Egypt's prime minister has condemned Israeli attacks on Gaza as a "disaster" during a short visit to the territory.
Hisham Qandil, who visited a hospital and talked to Palestinian politicians during his three-hour visit, said Israeli "aggression" must stop. Hisham Qandil, who went to a hospital and talked to Hamas political leaders during his three-hour visit, said Israel's "aggression" must stop.
Israel struck at more than 130 targets overnight and militants fired 11 rockets from Gaza. The Israeli military struck at more than 130 targets overnight and militants fired 11 rockets from Gaza.
At least 18 Palestinians and three Israelis have been killed since Israel began its offensive on Wednesday. At least 20 Palestinians and three Israelis have been killed since Israel began its offensive on Wednesday.
Militants and civilians, including at least five children, were among the Palestinian dead, Palestinian officials said.
Two Israeli women and a man died when a rocket fired from Gaza hit a building in the southern town of Kiryat Malachi on Thursday, Israeli officials said.
The Israeli army began an initial draft of 16,000 reservists on Friday, after the government authorised the call-up of 30,000.The Israeli army began an initial draft of 16,000 reservists on Friday, after the government authorised the call-up of 30,000.
The BBC's Jon Donnison in Gaza says there is not yet any sign of a ground offensive. However, the BBC's Jon Donnison in Gaza says there is not yet any sign of a ground offensive.
Truce dashed
Mr Qandil visited the Council of Ministers building in Gaza City, and also a hospital treating those wounded in attacks.
"What I am witnessing in Gaza is a disaster and I can't keep quiet. The Israeli aggression must stop," he said.
But he insisted that Egypt would "spare no effort" in trying to broker a ceasefire.
Ties between Hamas and Egypt have warmed since the election of Islamist President Mohammed Mursi earlier this year.
Hamas was formed as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, to which Mr Mursi belongs.
Israel had said it would pause the offensive during Mr Qandil's visit, if militants refrained from firing rockets.
But shortly after the prime minister arrived, Israeli and Palestinian officials accused each other of violating the temporary truce.
While Mr Qandil was at the hospital in Gaza, medical workers brought in the bodies of a man and a boy who officials said had been killed in an Israeli air strike moments earlier.
Ministry building wreckedMinistry building wrecked
Militants and civilians, including at least five children, are among the Palestinian dead, Palestinian officials say. Explosions continued in Gaza throughout Thursday night, with huge blasts rocking Gaza City as dawn broke.
Two Israeli women and a man died when a rocket fired from Gaza hit a building in the southern town of Kiryat Malachi on Thursday, Israeli officials said. Witnesses said parts of the Hamas interior ministry building were destroyed in the overnight raids.
Mr Qandil visited the Council of Ministers building in Gaza, and also a hospital treating those wounded in attacks. Israel said it had targeted dozens of rocket-launching facilities in the coastal territory.
His Muslim Brotherhood now dominates the Egyptian government and has close ties with Hamas, which controls Gaza.
Israel had agreed to stop firing during his visit, but only if militants also stopped their rocket attacks.
Shortly after Mr Qandil's arrival, Israeli officials said they had launched air strikes because rockets had continued to hit Israeli cities.
Israel killed a Hamas military leader on Wednesday, sparking intense violence and rumours of an invasion.
Explosions continued in Gaza throughout the night, with huge blasts rocking Gaza City as dawn broke on Friday.
Witnesses said parts of the Gaza interior ministry were destroyed in the overnight raids.
Israel said it had targeted dozens of rocket-launching facilities in the territory.
In recent days, militants say they have fired more than 350 rockets from Gaza.In recent days, militants say they have fired more than 350 rockets from Gaza.
Israel said 130 rockets had been intercepted by its Iron Dome missile defence system.Israel said 130 rockets had been intercepted by its Iron Dome missile defence system.
In Tel Aviv on Thursday, residents took cover after air-raid sirens alerted them to a missile threat for the first time since the Gulf War in 1991.In Tel Aviv on Thursday, residents took cover after air-raid sirens alerted them to a missile threat for the first time since the Gulf War in 1991.
The armed wing of Islamic Jihad said it had fired an Iranian-built Fajr-5 rocket, which has an estimated range of 75km (45km). The armed wing of Islamic Jihad said it had fired an Iranian-built Fajr-5 rocket, which has an estimated range of 75km (45 miles).
Reports said two missiles had landed near Tel Aviv: one hit an uninhabited area and another is thought to have landed in the sea. Israel said two missiles had landed near Tel Aviv, one hitting an uninhabited area and another which is believed to have landed in the sea.
Are you in the region? Please share your experiences about what is happening where you are using the form below. If you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist, please include your contact telephone number. Violence escalated after the killing by Israel of Hamas' military leader Ahmed Jabari on Wednesday following a surge in rocket attacks from Gaza.
Israel had repeatedly carried out air strikes on Gaza, as Palestinian militants fired across the border.
Are you in the region? Please share your experiences using the form below. If you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist, please include your contact telephone number.
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