Gaza Fighting Kills at Least 23

(NEWSER) - Egypt called Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip "murder" today as world leaders appealed for peace in the region, the AFP and Jerusalem Post report. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said he was "deeply alarmed" by the violence, and, like Russia and the European Union, called for a ceasefire. Egypt opened its border checkpoint to allow care for injured Gazans, whose numbers have topped 400. More»

Israeli troops shoot it out with militants in suburbs as Egypt tries to broker ceasefire

(NEWSER) - Israeli troops are battling Hamas militants in the suburbs of Gaza City, filling residential streets with the chilling rat-a-tat-tat of machine gun fire, reports the BBC. Israeli forces have advanced deep into several neighborhoods, and air strikes hit 60 targets in Gaza overnight, including tunnels under the Egyptian border and the old Gaza city hall. Palestinian officials say the death toll has now hit 971, with some 40% of the victims women and childrens, according to the UN. More»

Blames Hamas for sabotaging talks with violence

(NEWSER) - Condoleezza Rice made stops in both Cairo and Israel today in her effort to restart stalled peace talks, telling reporters that she understood "Israel's need to defend itself" against Hamas rockets, but was concerned about "the loss of innocent life" in Israel's retaliatory offensive in Gaza. Rice blamed Hamas for using the rockets to derail the two-state solution in the region. More»

Meetings could begin next week, but Fatah leaders skeptical

(NEWSER) - Hamas officials said yesterday they are prepared to meet with Fatah leaders to discuss the future of the Gaza Strip, and indicated they might give up control of the region they've held since June. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has insisted Hamas hand over Gaza and recognize his authority before talks could begin. Meanwhile, the area sinks deeper into an economic abyss created by foreign sanctions and an Israeli blockade. More»

Increases tension between factions

(NEWSER) - An Israeli air strike hit near the Gaza home of Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh today. The Israeli military said that Haniyeh was not the target, though an official said earlier this week that any Hamas leader—including Haniyeh—rmight be attacked if rocket strikes on Israel continue. More»