Israel continued its offensive against Hamas in the North of the Gaza Strip on Monday.
Sporadic gunfire could be heard but the punishing airstrikes of the past week appeared to have been halted, ahead of the arrival of international mediators, including French President Nicolas Sarkozy, in the region.
Israel says it launched the offensive to stop rocket attacks from Hamas militants, which have traumatised southern Israel.
But with more than 510 Palestinians killed in Gaza and more than 2,500 injured, some Middle Eastern and European governments have strongly criticised Israel for use of excessive force.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the divided Security Council on Monday to work toward a speedy end to the escalating crisis in Gaza.
Ban said he remains "extremely concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation" in Gaza.
The UN is in close contact with Israeli authorities to press them to open crossing into Gaza to allow in, particularly, wheat grain and fuel for the power plant, as well as other essential supplies, Ban said.
The main power plant in Gaza has been shut down since Tuesday because Israel has blocked fuel deliveries, and UN officials have said they desperately need wheat flour.
Thousands of Israeli troops backed by tanks and helicopter gunships continued to push into Gaza on Monday, the second day of Israel's ground invasion of the coastal territory.
Palestinians reported clashes early on Monday in the eastern part of Gaza, near the border with Israel.
Hamas militants fired at advancing Israeli tanks with rocket-propelled grenades and mortars, witnesses said.
Explosions could be heard in Gaza City as aircraft attacked buildings.
There was no immediate word about casualties.
Israel said it has inflicted a heavy blow against Hamas as it expands a week-long offensive meant to stop rocket fire on southern Israel.
But spiralling civilian casualties fuelled an intensifying international outcry.
Since the ground assault began on Saturday, 64 Palestinian civilians have been killed, a Health Ministry official said.
Latest reports have brought the death toll in the Gaza Strip to more than 512 since December 27.
The tally is based on figures from the United Nations and Palestinian health officials as well as a count by The Associated Press.
One Israeli soldier died - the first to be killed in the ground operation - and about 40 others were wounded, some of them in heavy exchanges of fire near the militant stronghold of Jebaliya, a town on Gaza City's northern outskirts, the army said.
Condemnation of Israel's ground operation poured in from around the Middle East and Europe, but the United States blocked approval of a UN Security Council statement Saturday night calling for an immediate cease-fire and expressing serious concern at the escalation of violence.
Israel has four main demands: and end to Gaza rocket fire, a halt to Palestinian attacks, international supervision of a truce and an agreement to stop Hamas from re-arming.
Hamas demands a cessation of Israeli attacks and opening of vital Gaza-Israel cargo crossings, Gaza's main lifeline.
Sporadic gunfire could be heard but the punishing airstrikes of the past week appeared to have been halted, ahead of the arrival of international mediators, including French President Nicolas Sarkozy, in the region.
Israel says it launched the offensive to stop rocket attacks from Hamas militants, which have traumatised southern Israel.
But with more than 510 Palestinians killed in Gaza and more than 2,500 injured, some Middle Eastern and European governments have strongly criticised Israel for use of excessive force.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the divided Security Council on Monday to work toward a speedy end to the escalating crisis in Gaza.
Ban said he remains "extremely concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation" in Gaza.
The UN is in close contact with Israeli authorities to press them to open crossing into Gaza to allow in, particularly, wheat grain and fuel for the power plant, as well as other essential supplies, Ban said.
The main power plant in Gaza has been shut down since Tuesday because Israel has blocked fuel deliveries, and UN officials have said they desperately need wheat flour.
Thousands of Israeli troops backed by tanks and helicopter gunships continued to push into Gaza on Monday, the second day of Israel's ground invasion of the coastal territory.
Palestinians reported clashes early on Monday in the eastern part of Gaza, near the border with Israel.
Hamas militants fired at advancing Israeli tanks with rocket-propelled grenades and mortars, witnesses said.
Explosions could be heard in Gaza City as aircraft attacked buildings.
There was no immediate word about casualties.
Israel said it has inflicted a heavy blow against Hamas as it expands a week-long offensive meant to stop rocket fire on southern Israel.
But spiralling civilian casualties fuelled an intensifying international outcry.
Since the ground assault began on Saturday, 64 Palestinian civilians have been killed, a Health Ministry official said.
Latest reports have brought the death toll in the Gaza Strip to more than 512 since December 27.
The tally is based on figures from the United Nations and Palestinian health officials as well as a count by The Associated Press.
One Israeli soldier died - the first to be killed in the ground operation - and about 40 others were wounded, some of them in heavy exchanges of fire near the militant stronghold of Jebaliya, a town on Gaza City's northern outskirts, the army said.
Condemnation of Israel's ground operation poured in from around the Middle East and Europe, but the United States blocked approval of a UN Security Council statement Saturday night calling for an immediate cease-fire and expressing serious concern at the escalation of violence.
Israel has four main demands: and end to Gaza rocket fire, a halt to Palestinian attacks, international supervision of a truce and an agreement to stop Hamas from re-arming.
Hamas demands a cessation of Israeli attacks and opening of vital Gaza-Israel cargo crossings, Gaza's main lifeline.
source:ndtv.com