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Gaza crisis: UN calls for ceasefire as deaths pass 500 Gaza crisis: UN calls for ceasefire as deaths pass 500
(35 minutes later)
The UN Security Council has called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza.The UN Security Council has called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza.
It comes as US Secretary of State John Kerry heads to Cairo for talks on the crisis amid a mounting death toll.It comes as US Secretary of State John Kerry heads to Cairo for talks on the crisis amid a mounting death toll.
Over 500 Palestinians, mainly civilians, have been killed since the Israeli offensive began two weeks ago, Gaza's health ministry says.Over 500 Palestinians, mainly civilians, have been killed since the Israeli offensive began two weeks ago, Gaza's health ministry says.
Twenty Israelis - 18 of them soldiers - have died, Israel says, as it seeks to end rocket fire on the country.Twenty Israelis - 18 of them soldiers - have died, Israel says, as it seeks to end rocket fire on the country.
On Sunday Gaza saw its deadliest day since the start of Israel's Operation Protective Edge, with 13 Israeli soldiers and more than 100 Palestinians killed.On Sunday Gaza saw its deadliest day since the start of Israel's Operation Protective Edge, with 13 Israeli soldiers and more than 100 Palestinians killed.
Israel says it has killed at least 120 militants since the ground offensive began on Thursday night.Israel says it has killed at least 120 militants since the ground offensive began on Thursday night.
In Monday's early developments:In Monday's early developments:
'Sobering session''Sobering session'
Sunday's late-night UN Security Council session was convened at the request of Jordan, which is understood to have proposed a strongly worded draft resolution for consideration.Sunday's late-night UN Security Council session was convened at the request of Jordan, which is understood to have proposed a strongly worded draft resolution for consideration.
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon spoke out on the situation, describing Israel's operation in Shejaiya as "an atrocious action".Secretary General Ban Ki-moon spoke out on the situation, describing Israel's operation in Shejaiya as "an atrocious action".
However, the 15-member council instead issued a statement to the press, with Rwanda's UN ambassador calling for "an immediate cessation of hostilities".However, the 15-member council instead issued a statement to the press, with Rwanda's UN ambassador calling for "an immediate cessation of hostilities".
Eugene Gasana said members voiced alarm at the escalation of violence during a "sobering session".Eugene Gasana said members voiced alarm at the escalation of violence during a "sobering session".
'A massacre''A massacre'
More than 60 Palestinians alone were killed during heavy shelling in Shejaiya, in what Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called "a massacre".More than 60 Palestinians alone were killed during heavy shelling in Shejaiya, in what Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called "a massacre".
He called for urgent talks, saying the "situation is intolerable" in Gaza and describing the Israeli attacks as "crimes against humanity."He called for urgent talks, saying the "situation is intolerable" in Gaza and describing the Israeli attacks as "crimes against humanity."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue operations "as much as we need to" despite the number of Israeli soldiers killed rising to 18 at the weekend.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue operations "as much as we need to" despite the number of Israeli soldiers killed rising to 18 at the weekend.
Two of the soldiers killed were American citizens, US state department spokesperson Jen Psaki said.Two of the soldiers killed were American citizens, US state department spokesperson Jen Psaki said.
Sunday's death toll for Israel's military is higher than that sustained during the entire three-week duration of Operation Cast Lead in 2008-2009, the last time Israel sent troops into Gaza.Sunday's death toll for Israel's military is higher than that sustained during the entire three-week duration of Operation Cast Lead in 2008-2009, the last time Israel sent troops into Gaza.
The deaths of so many soldiers on a single day will shock Israeli society, the BBC's Chris Morris reports from southern Israel.The deaths of so many soldiers on a single day will shock Israeli society, the BBC's Chris Morris reports from southern Israel.
Hamas said on Sunday evening that it had captured a member of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), prompting celebrations on the streets of Gaza and West Bank.Hamas said on Sunday evening that it had captured a member of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), prompting celebrations on the streets of Gaza and West Bank.
However Israel's UN ambassador Ron Prosor denied the claim. However Israel's UN ambassador Ron Prosor denied the claim, saying "those rumours are untrue".
"There's no kidnapped Israeli soldier and those rumours are untrue," Mr Prosor said, though the IDF says it is still investigating the claim.
The UN says 83,695 people have now been displaced in Gaza and that the figure is "rising all the time".The UN says 83,695 people have now been displaced in Gaza and that the figure is "rising all the time".
There were scenes of panic in Shejaiya, with thousands of residents fleeing.There were scenes of panic in Shejaiya, with thousands of residents fleeing.
Analysis: Jonathan Marcus, BBC defence correspondent
The fact that the battle has moved into a heavily-populated urban area means that the civilian death toll will rise markedly.
With it will come added pressure from outside to end the operation once and for all.
Hamas's infiltration tunnels prompted the Israeli movement on the ground. Many civilians may have fled but clearly others remained. Now the fighting is close-up and bitter and it's taking a toll on the Israelis as well.
This may well be exactly what Hamas military commanders wanted: to draw the Israeli forces into a close urban environment, a difficult battleground for any modern army.
Jonathan Marcus: Turning point reached?
In an interview with BBC Arabic, Mr Netanyahu called Shejaiya a "terror stronghold" and a centre for rocket attacks on Israel.In an interview with BBC Arabic, Mr Netanyahu called Shejaiya a "terror stronghold" and a centre for rocket attacks on Israel.
Mr Netanyahu said Israeli troops had no choice but to enter densely populated areas and that they had asked civilians to leave.Mr Netanyahu said Israeli troops had no choice but to enter densely populated areas and that they had asked civilians to leave.
Israel sent ground troops into Gaza after days of heavy air and naval barrages failed to stop rocket fire.Israel sent ground troops into Gaza after days of heavy air and naval barrages failed to stop rocket fire.
Israel says the ground operation is necessary to target Hamas' network of tunnels, which have been used by militants to infiltrate Israel and carry out attacks.Israel says the ground operation is necessary to target Hamas' network of tunnels, which have been used by militants to infiltrate Israel and carry out attacks.
Are you in the area affected? Are you or is someone you know affected by the situation? Email your comments to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject 'Gaza'.Are you in the area affected? Are you or is someone you know affected by the situation? Email your comments to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject 'Gaza'.