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Gaza conflict: New diplomatic push for ceasefire Gaza conflict: UN chief Ban urges end to fighting
(about 1 hour later)
A diplomatic push to broker a truce in the Gaza Strip is intensifying, as Israel continues its military operation against militants in the territory. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged Israel and the Palestinians to "stop fighting" and "start talking" to end the conflict in Gaza.
US Secretary of State John Kerry has said a plan formulated by Egypt will be the framework for any ceasefire. He was speaking in Israel as diplomatic efforts intensified.
Meanwhile, Israeli media have quoted the army as saying a soldier is missing. Media say he is presumed dead.
More than 600 Palestinians and 29 Israelis have been killed in the past 14 days of fighting, officials say.More than 600 Palestinians and 29 Israelis have been killed in the past 14 days of fighting, officials say.
Earlier, US Secretary of State John Kerry said an Egyptian plan could form the basis of a ceasefire.
Speaking in Egypt, Mr Kerry said the US was concerned about Palestinian casualties, but lent his support to Israel's "appropriate and legitimate" military operation.
He also said the US was sending $47m (£28m) in aid to Gaza "to alleviate the immediate humanitarian crisis".
Mr Kerry is expected to stay in Cairo until at least Wednesday for talks with Egyptian officials and the Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi.
'Maximum restraint'
At a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr Ban urged Israel to exercise "maximum restraint", adding that "military action will not increase Israeli security in the longer term".
He called on the Palestinians to pursue a policy of "no violence, recognition of Israel and respect for previous agreements".
Replying to Mr Ban's opening comments, Mr Netanyahu asked: "What grievance can we resolve for Hamas? Their grievance is that we exist."
The latest Palestinian death toll was announced by Gaza's health ministry, which also said that 3,640 people had been injured.The latest Palestinian death toll was announced by Gaza's health ministry, which also said that 3,640 people had been injured.
The UN relief agency in Gaza says more than 100,000 Palestinians have taken refuge in its schools. It says 43% of Gaza has been affected by evacuation warnings or declared no-go zones.The UN relief agency in Gaza says more than 100,000 Palestinians have taken refuge in its schools. It says 43% of Gaza has been affected by evacuation warnings or declared no-go zones.
The majority of Palestinians killed were civilians, including dozens of children, according to the UN.The majority of Palestinians killed were civilians, including dozens of children, according to the UN.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) says 27 Israeli soldiers have died. The other two victims were civilians.
The IDF also says it has killed at least 170 militants.The IDF also says it has killed at least 170 militants.
Early on Tuesday, Israeli air strikes destroyed several mosques and targeted a stadium and the home of the late leader of Hamas's military wing.Early on Tuesday, Israeli air strikes destroyed several mosques and targeted a stadium and the home of the late leader of Hamas's military wing.
'Spare civilians'
After the talks with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, John Kerry said the US was concerned about Palestinian casualties, but lent his support to Israel's "appropriate and legitimate" military operation.
Mr Kerry, speaking in Egypt, also said the US was sending $47m (£28m) in aid to Gaza "to alleviate the immediate humanitarian crisis".
In a joint statement later with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Mr Ban said that talks so far had been "constructive".
He repeated his call for an immediate ceasefire, and said the underlying causes of the crisis needed to be addressed.
Mr Kerry is expected to stay in Cairo until at least Wednesday for talks with Egyptian officials and the Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi.
Gaza tunnelsGaza tunnels
Mr Kerry urged Hamas militants to "make the decision to spare innocent civilians", a call echoed by Mr Arabi, who said the group should accept an Egyptian proposal to end the fighting. On Monday the UN Security Council has issued a call for an "immediate cessation of hostilities", but did not endorse a strongly worded draft resolution backed by Arab states.
Hamas rejected that proposal last week, with its armed wing saying agreeing to it would amount to "surrender".
The UN Security Council has issued a call for an "immediate cessation of hostilities", but did not endorse a strongly worded draft resolution backed by Arab states.
Mr Ban is due to travel to Israel for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and meetings with Palestinian officials in the West Bank.
Mr Ban said he appreciated Israel's right to defend itself, but said restrictions on Gaza should be lifted "so that people should not resort to this kind of violence as a way of expressing their grievances".
Israel launched its ground operation in Gaza after days of air strikes, following rocket fire by militants into Israeli towns.Israel launched its ground operation in Gaza after days of air strikes, following rocket fire by militants into Israeli towns.
It says the move is necessary to target Hamas' network of tunnels, which have been used by militants to get into Israel and carry out attacks.It says the move is necessary to target Hamas' network of tunnels, which have been used by militants to get into Israel and carry out attacks.
Meanwhile, Israel says a soldier hit in a Hamas attack in Gaza on Sunday is missing. Media say he is presumed dead.
On Tuesday, the IDF named 21-year-old Sgt Oron Shaul as the last of seven soldiers reported killed in a single incident in Shejaiya, near Gaza City, on Sunday.On Tuesday, the IDF named 21-year-old Sgt Oron Shaul as the last of seven soldiers reported killed in a single incident in Shejaiya, near Gaza City, on Sunday.
The troops are all believed to have died when their armoured personnel carrier was attacked.The troops are all believed to have died when their armoured personnel carrier was attacked.
Hamas said on Sunday evening that it had captured an Israeli soldier, but Israel's UN ambassador denied the claim.Hamas said on Sunday evening that it had captured an Israeli soldier, but Israel's UN ambassador denied the claim.
Are you in Israel or Gaza? How has the violence affected you? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Israel Gaza'.Are you in Israel or Gaza? How has the violence affected you? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Israel Gaza'.