This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-28241273

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Deaths rise in Israeli air strikes on Gaza Deaths rise in Israeli air strikes on Gaza
(about 1 hour later)
Up to 20 people have been killed in the deadliest night of Israeli air raids on Gaza since its current offensive began, Palestinian sources say. Up to 20 people have been killed in the deadliest night of Israeli air raids on Gaza since its current offensive began, Palestinian officials say.
Most occurred in attacks on a house and a cafe in the south, they say. The health ministry said most died in attacks on a house and a cafe in Khan Younis in the south, bringing the overall death toll to 76.
Militants in Gaza continued firing rockets into Israel on Thursday, with sirens sounding over southern towns.Militants in Gaza continued firing rockets into Israel on Thursday, with sirens sounding over southern towns.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon warned the situation in Gaza was "on a knife-edge", urging Israel and Palestinian militants to end hostilities. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon warned the situation was "on a knife-edge".
The deaths overnight take the number of Palestinians killed since Israel launched its Operation Protective Edge on Tuesday to at least 70, Palestinian officials say.
Israel says its targets have been militant fighters and facilities including rocket launchers, weapons stores, tunnels and command centres.
'Tap on roof''Tap on roof'
The Israeli military said that it had attacked 108 targets since midnight and that 12 rockets had been fired at Israel, seven of them intercepted by the Iron Dome defence system.The Israeli military said that it had attacked 108 targets since midnight and that 12 rockets had been fired at Israel, seven of them intercepted by the Iron Dome defence system.
Palestinian sources say the cafe in Khan Younis was hit while people were watching the world cup semi-final on television. First reports say that nine people died in that attack. Israel says its targets in Operation Protective Edge have been militant fighters and facilities including rocket launchers, weapons stores, tunnels and command centres.
Separately, eight Palestinians were killed in an air strike on a house near the city, the Palestinian health ministry said. The Palestinian health ministry said 17 people including five children and three women were killed in the strikes on the house and cafe in Khan Younis.
Israel has not commented on the incidents.Israel has not commented on the incidents.
Elsewhere on Thursday, three people also died in an Israeli strike on a car in western Gaza City, Palestinian reports say. Reuters news agency said the victims were militants from Islamic Jihad.Elsewhere on Thursday, three people also died in an Israeli strike on a car in western Gaza City, Palestinian reports say. Reuters news agency said the victims were militants from Islamic Jihad.
Militant rocket fire into Israel continued on Thursday, with sirens sounding in Ashkelon and other southern Israeli areas. The Palestinian health ministry said that in addition to the 76 dead, some 500 people had been injured overall.
Israel says militants have fired more than 365 rockets from Gaza since Tuesday and that it has attacked about 780 targets over the same time.
Militant rocket fire into Israel continued on Thursday, with sirens sounding across the country.
The armed wing of Hamas said it had fired two M75 rockets at Tel Aviv.The armed wing of Hamas said it had fired two M75 rockets at Tel Aviv.
An Israeli military spokesman however said an attack on a house in Khan Younis on Tuesday in which eight people were killed was "a tragedy - not what we intended", adding people had returned to the building too soon following a telephone warning. Israel said three rockets had hit civilian communities in the Israeli Negev and several others struck the Netivot area.
Meanwhile, an Israeli military spokesman said an attack on a house in Khan Younis on Tuesday in which eight people were killed was "a tragedy - not what we intended", adding people had returned to the building too soon following a telephone warning.
The home was said to be that of Odeh Kaware, a local Hamas commander.The home was said to be that of Odeh Kaware, a local Hamas commander.
Israeli sources say a warning was given of an imminent attack and a projectile without a warhead was then fired at the building in a second warning move sometimes called "the tap on the roof". Israeli sources say a second warning was given when a projectile without a warhead was fired at the building in a tactic known as a "tap on the roof", but people went back.
But they say people began returning to the building in the time between the firing of that warning shot and the firing of the explosive missile. "They were told to leave, they returned, and the missile was already on the way. It was too late," the Jerusalem Post newspaper quoted an Israeli security source as saying.
The Palestinian Maan news agency said dozens of people had gathered on the roof after the family had been warned by Israel that the building would be targeted.
Separately, Egyptian state television said the government had decided to open the Rafah border crossing on Thursday to evacuate some of those wounded in the Israeli attacks.Separately, Egyptian state television said the government had decided to open the Rafah border crossing on Thursday to evacuate some of those wounded in the Israeli attacks.
Emergency talksEmergency talks
Overnight Mr Ban warned of the dangers of escalation, saying the region "cannot afford another full-blown war".Overnight Mr Ban warned of the dangers of escalation, saying the region "cannot afford another full-blown war".
"The deteriorating situation is leading to a downward spiral which could quickly get out of control," Mr Ban said. "The risk of violence expanding further still is real.""The deteriorating situation is leading to a downward spiral which could quickly get out of control," Mr Ban said. "The risk of violence expanding further still is real."
He demanded that Hamas militants stop firing rockets and also urged the Israeli government to exercise restraint and respect international obligations to protect civilians.He demanded that Hamas militants stop firing rockets and also urged the Israeli government to exercise restraint and respect international obligations to protect civilians.
The UN Security Council is due to meet for emergency talks on the crisis later on Thursday.The UN Security Council is due to meet for emergency talks on the crisis later on Thursday.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu earlier vowed to "further intensify attacks on Hamas" in Gaza, saying the militants would "pay a heavy price" for their rocket attacks.Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu earlier vowed to "further intensify attacks on Hamas" in Gaza, saying the militants would "pay a heavy price" for their rocket attacks.
Mustafa Barghouti, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, accused Mr Netanyahu of "preparing a ground operation which could bring a huge massacre in Gaza".Mustafa Barghouti, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, accused Mr Netanyahu of "preparing a ground operation which could bring a huge massacre in Gaza".
He told the BBC that Hamas was ready for a mutually declared ceasefire, but that Israel had rejected a truce. "Mr Netanyahu seems determined to continue this terrible war," Mr Barghouti said.He told the BBC that Hamas was ready for a mutually declared ceasefire, but that Israel had rejected a truce. "Mr Netanyahu seems determined to continue this terrible war," Mr Barghouti said.
Israeli President Shimon Peres told CNN that a ground offensive might happen "quite soon". The army has called up about 40,000 reservists. Israeli President Shimon Peres told CNN that a ground offensive might happen "quite soon". The army has been authorised to deploy up to 40,000 reservists.
Hamas said that all Israelis were now targets, accusing Israel of violating the Egyptian-brokered truce that ended exchanges in 2012.
The leader of Hamas' political bureau, Khaled Meshaal, warned that Hamas would continue to retaliate and called on Palestinians to unite.
Last month Hamas and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas agreed to form a unity government to end a major rift between their factions in the West Bank and Gaza.
Israel suspended crisis-hit peace talks with the Palestinians in April in response to the announcement of the reconciliation deal with Hamas, which it regards as a terrorist organisation.
Israel's Iron Dome missile shieldIsrael's Iron Dome missile shield