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Peace Team Rushes to Gaza as Toll Tops 520

Sarkozy to meet with Israeli leaders today

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Jan 5, 2009 4:19 AM CST

(Newser) – A European peace and humanitarian team and French President Nicolas Sarkozy headed to the region today as Israeli ground-assault tanks pushed further into Palestinian territory, and edged the death toll close to 530, Reuters reports. Hamas militants have retaliated by firing rocket-propelled grenades at tanks in eastern Gaza, and at least one missile today into the Jewish state. The European delegation plans to work toward reestablishing a ceasefire, and deliver aid to the region.

Sarkozy, who is working alongside the EU delegation, is expected to meet with Israeli leaders today. He condemned the offensive for hurting chances for peace and making it harder to get aid to Gaza. In a separate statement, the EU delegation, headed by Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, said they would "make sure that aid reaches the inhabitants of the Gaza and does not disappear somewhere along the way."

[Images (5)]

[Videos (2)]

Israeli soldiers gather over the grave of a soldier, one of five killed during the fighting in Gaza. At least 512 Palestinians have been killed. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis)

Thousands of protesters spilled into the streets of Montreal yesterday calling on the Canadian government to apply pressure on Israel to stop its military offensive in Gaza. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Peter McCabe)

Protesters light candles writing "Gaza" during a demonstration against Israel's ground operation in the Gaza Strip, in front of the United Nations office in Geneva yesterday. (AP Photo/Keystone/Salvatore Di Nolfi)

A Lebanese protester holds a candle during a vigil in front the Egyptian embassy during a sit-in to protest Israel's attacks against the Gaza Strip, in Beirut yesterday. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Tawil)

Explosions from Israeli fire cloud the sky over the northern Gaza Strip yesterday, (AP Photo/Jini,Eliyahu Ben Igal)

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Hospitals reach their capacity as more civilians are wounded in Gaza. (CNN Video)

Israel's grand strategy remains a mystery. (CNN Video)

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Peace Team Rushes to Gaza as Toll Tops 520