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-28606099

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
Gaza militants 'seize Israeli soldier' as ceasefire ends Gaza militants 'seize Israeli soldier' as ceasefire ends
(about 1 hour later)
Israeli forces are searching for a soldier believed captured, as a 72-hour truce with Hamas in Gaza collapsed just hours after it had begun.Israeli forces are searching for a soldier believed captured, as a 72-hour truce with Hamas in Gaza collapsed just hours after it had begun.
The soldier, named as Hadar Goldin, 23, disappeared when Israeli forces trying to destroy a suspected militant tunnel were attacked, Israel's military said.The soldier, named as Hadar Goldin, 23, disappeared when Israeli forces trying to destroy a suspected militant tunnel were attacked, Israel's military said.
Two soldiers died in the firefight in southern Gaza Strip at 06:30 GMT. Two soldiers died in the firefight in the southern Gaza Strip at 06:30 GMT.
The Gaza health ministry said dozens were killed by Israeli shelling in the area shortly after the incident. The Gaza health ministry said at least 53 people were killed by Israeli shelling shortly after the incident.
Hamas has not confirmed or denied capturing a soldier.
In 2006 Palestinian militants captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and held him for five years.In 2006 Palestinian militants captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit and held him for five years.
He was released in November 2011 in exchange for 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.He was released in November 2011 in exchange for 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas has not confirmed or denied capturing a soldier.
Lt Goldin's father Simha said in a statement that the family was "confident that Israel will do everything to bring Hadar back home".Lt Goldin's father Simha said in a statement that the family was "confident that Israel will do everything to bring Hadar back home".
Some 1,460 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have died in the latest conflict and 63 Israelis, mostly soldiers. Some 1,500 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have now died in the latest conflict, and 8,400 have been injured, according to Gaza's health ministry.
The ceasefire had been brokered by the US and UN to give civilians a reprieve from the violence, and had been seen as an unforeseen breakthrough after days of diplomatic deadlock. Sixty-one Israeli soldiers have died, as well as three civilians in Israel.
The White House blamed Hamas for the ceasefire's breakdown, describing the militant group's attack on the Israeli soldiers as "barbaric". 'Crushing' response
"This is an outrageous action and we look to the rest of the world to join us in condemning it," Deputy National Security Adviser Tony Blinken told MSNBC. Friday's violence comes after a ceasefire brokered by the US and UN to give civilians a reprieve from the violence collapsed.
Also on Friday, Palestinian and Israeli delegations arrived in Cairo, Egypt, with the hope of negotiating a longer-term cessation of hostilities, but Egyptian officials said the talks had now been postponed. During the morning many Palestinians headed towards areas that had been heavily shelled areas to see if their homes were still intact.
But fighting then resumed, with Israel and Hamas accusing the other of breaking the ceasefire.
Gaza's health ministry said 53 Palestinians were killed and more than 200 injured in an Israeli attack near the southern town of Rafah after the ceasefire began.
Israeli foreign affairs spokesman Yigal Palmor told the BBC that Israeli forces had retaliated after being attacked in what seemed like a planned move by Hamas.
"There was a full-scale attack on an Israeli unit and this unit had to respond," he said.
Israel says its response will be "crushing".
But Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoun said: "The Israelis are the ones who breached the ceasefire, and the Palestinian resistance acted in a way that ensures its right of self-defence."
Another Hamas official said the announcement of the soldier's capture was "a justification for Israel retreating from the truth and a cover-up for massacres".
Analysis: Martin Patience, BBC News, GazaAnalysis: Martin Patience, BBC News, Gaza
The clashes in Rafah came just four hours into what was meant be a 72-hour ceasefire, reinforcing just how difficult it is to get truces to last beyond a very short time. Both sides will have expected such violations.The clashes in Rafah came just four hours into what was meant be a 72-hour ceasefire, reinforcing just how difficult it is to get truces to last beyond a very short time. Both sides will have expected such violations.
While it held, much of Gaza was relatively quiet compared to the violence in recent weeks. The streets were slowly returning back to life as shops began to reopen. People had been taking the opportunity to stock up on much-needed supplies.While it held, much of Gaza was relatively quiet compared to the violence in recent weeks. The streets were slowly returning back to life as shops began to reopen. People had been taking the opportunity to stock up on much-needed supplies.
A steady stream of cars headed towards evacuated neighbourhoods close to the Israeli border. People here want to see if their houses are still standing and to try to salvage what's left of their belongings.A steady stream of cars headed towards evacuated neighbourhoods close to the Israeli border. People here want to see if their houses are still standing and to try to salvage what's left of their belongings.
Analysis: Bethany Bell, BBC News, JerusalemAnalysis: Bethany Bell, BBC News, Jerusalem
The news that an Israeli soldier appears to have been captured by Palestinian militants in Gaza has caused deep concern in Israel. The news that an Israeli soldier appears to have been captured by Palestinian militants in Gaza has caused deep concern in Israel. Military service is compulsory for most people and the sense of solidarity and sympathy with the armed forces is strong; the case of Gilad Shalit was a national trauma.
Military service is compulsory for most people and the sense of solidarity and sympathy with the armed forces is strong; the case of Gilad Shalit was a national trauma. He was eventually freed in 2011 when Israel authorised the release of more than 1,000 Palestinan prisoners in exchange. The government's readiness to make deals is both a strength and a weakness. It reassures Israeli soldiers and their families that the country will do what it can to secure their release.
The government's readiness to make deals like the one that was struck in Sgt Shalit's case is both a strength and a weakness. It reassures Israeli soldiers and their families that the country will do what it can to secure their release.
But critics both at home and abroad say the policy makes Israel vulnerable to future attacks. Its enemies, including Hamas and Hezbollah, know that Israel is prepared to pay a very high price for the freedom of its citizens.But critics both at home and abroad say the policy makes Israel vulnerable to future attacks. Its enemies, including Hamas and Hezbollah, know that Israel is prepared to pay a very high price for the freedom of its citizens.
During the morning life appeared to be returning to some kind of normality in Gaza, with many Palestinians heading towards heavily shelled areas to see if their homes were still intact. In other developments:
But the Gaza health ministry reported that at least 35 Palestinians were killed and up to 100 injured in an Israeli attack near the southern town of Rafah after the ceasefire began. The latest conflict comes after the abduction and killing of three Israeli teenagers in June, which Israel blamed on Hamas and which led to a crackdown on the group in the West Bank.
A senior Israeli official said Hamas had breached the ceasefire and Israel's response would be "crushing". Hamas denied being behind the killings.
Earlier, Israeli foreign affairs spokesman Yigal Palmor told the BBC that Israeli forces had retaliated after being attacked in what seemed like a planned move by Hamas. Tensions rose further after the suspected revenge killing of a Palestinian teenager in Jerusalem on 2 July, after which six suspects were arrested.
"There was a full-scale attack on an Israeli unit and this unit had to respond," he said. After a series of Israeli air strikes in which several members of Hamas' armed wing were killed, Hamas claimed responsibility for firing rockets out of Gaza for the first time in 20 months.
"After it responded, Hamas started firing rockets on Israeli territory again and therefore the fighting resumed all along the line. The next day, Israel launched Operation Protective Edge, which it said was aimed at stopping rocket attacks and destroying Hamas' capabilities.
But Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoun said: "The Israelis are the ones who breached the ceasefire, and the Palestinian resistance acted in a way that ensures its right of self-defence."
Another Hamas official said the announcement of the soldier's capture was "a justification for Israel retreating from the truth and a cover-up for massacres".
Palestinian media reported that Hamas had called for a "day of anger" across the West Bank.
Are you in Gaza or Israel? Have you been affected by the violence? You can send us your views and experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "Gaza Israel". If you are willing to feature in an interview, please ensure you include your contact details and a photograph of yourself to help us illustrate the story.Are you in Gaza or Israel? Have you been affected by the violence? You can send us your views and experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "Gaza Israel". If you are willing to feature in an interview, please ensure you include your contact details and a photograph of yourself to help us illustrate the story.