Israel-Gaza conflict intensifies

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said his country is prepared to send troops into Gaza if Hamas does not stop firing rockets into Israel. Despite growing pressure for Israel to end its strikes, Mr Netanyahu made it clear to world leaders that Israel would consider all options to defend itself from attacks from Gaza. He also stated his hopes for a ceasefire to avoid an invasion of Gaza, which would likely lead to an escalated death toll. Netanyahu said any cessation of air strikes would depend on Hamas ending its bombardment of Israel's cities. Sources say as many as 100 rockets a day are fired across the border, some reaching Tel Aviv. Air raid sirens sounded in Jerusalem for the first time in decades.

Israel said it still has hundreds of targets to hit and is targeting those associated with Hamas. It already destroyed the Hamas prime minister's office. The death toll from the conflict has now claimed the lives of more than 50 Palestinians and three Israelis. Dozens more have been injured, many of them civilians. An Israeli military spokesperson said Israeli forces had targeted close to 1,000 sites in Gaza, while Hamas has launched more than 400 missiles into Israel. The Israeli government also approved the call-up of 75,000 reservists in preparation for a ground offensive. Diplomatic efforts are in full swing as regional leaders are meeting in Cairo in an attempt to stop the situation from spiralling further out of control.