Israel's Gaza ground assault sent the Palestinian death toll soaring to 296 as UN secretary-genaral Ban Ki-moon headed to the region Saturday to bolster efforts to clinch a truce.
The new peace effort came as eight members of a single family were killed in Israeli tank fire in northern Gaza, after Israel warned it was poised to broaden its ground operations.
Earlier, US President Barack Obama said he had telephoned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to voice concerns about the crisis and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas met foreign leaders for talks.
In the face of Israel's land, sea and air offensive, the Islamist movement Hamas remained defiant and warned the Jewish state it would "drown in the swamp of Gaza."
And battles continued early Saturday morning, with the army saying a firefight had caused "several injuries" to soldiers.
The UN said Secretary General Ban Ki-moon would fly to the region Saturday in a bid to end the violence.
"The secretary general... will leave for the region tomorrow to express solidarity with the Israelis and Palestinians," under secretary general for political affairs Jeffrey Feltman told emergency talks at the Security Council.
He said Ban would help Israelis and Palestinians "in coordination with regional and international actors, end the violence and find a way forward."
But the two sides' UN ambassadors traded blame for the violence, with Israel's Ron Prosor insisting no other country would "tolerate... terrorist" rocket fire at its citizens.
Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour read aloud the names of Palestinian dead, including women and children to the Security Council, and at one point appeared close to tears.
Israel's ground incursion, launched on the tenth day of an operation to stamp out rocket fire from Gaza, has killed dozens and forced thousands of people to flee.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA has opened 34 of its schools to shelter those fleeing.
It said the number of Gazans seeking sanctuary with the agency had more than doubled in one day from 22,000 to more than 47,000.
On Friday, Netanyahu said he had ordered the military to be ready for "a significant broadening of the ground activity."
He then convened his security cabinet to discuss a possible expansion of the campaign, which began on July 8 with the aim of stamping out cross-border rocket fire.
Israel has authorised the enlistment of 53,000 reserve troops, the army said.
Eight family members killed
In Gaza, after a relative lull during the day, violence picked up again in the evening, with intensifying tank shelling and air strikes killing more than a dozen people.
Among them were eight members of a single family killed by tank fire on their home in northern Gaza, emergency services spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said.
Four children from the family were among the dead, joining another four children killed in several separate incidents of tank fire east of Gaza City, the youngest of them just two years old.
Those and other deaths raised the overall toll in 11 days of fighting in Gaza to 296 people killed.
An Israeli civilian and a soldier have also been killed.
In Gaza, the World Food Programme said it had already distributed emergency food rations and food vouchers to more than 20,000 displaced people.
But with the ground operation, it was gearing up for a huge increase in the coming days and hoping to reach 85,000 people with food distributions, a spokeswoman said.
Gaza was also struggling with a 70 percent power outage after electricity lines from Israel were damaged, officials said.
Tunnel operation
Israel has said the aim of the ground operation is to destroy Hamas's network of tunnels which are used for cross-border attacks on southern Israel.
Netanyahu said the ground operation was necessary to deal with the tunnels, but admitted there was "no guarantee of 100 percent success."
Obama told reporters the US supports Israel's right to defend itself, but said Washington was "deeply concerned about the risks of further escalation and the loss of more innocent life."
He added that Washington was "hopeful" that Israel would operate "in a way that minimises civilian casualties".
The EU called for an immediate ceasefire, reserving particular concern for "too many civilian deaths, including many children," and urged efforts towards a "lasting peace" between Israel and Palestinians.
Israel pulled out all of its troops and settlers from Gaza in 2005, but within a year it became the de facto seat of Hamas after it won a landslide victory in Palestinian parliamentary elections.
Meanwhile, Abbas arrived in Turkey where he urged support for an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire proposal.
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Abbas had urged Paris to ask Hamas allies Qatar and Turkey to pressure the group into accepting a ceasefire.
AFP
Sat Jul 19 2014
![GAZA: Death toll soars to 296 as UN's Ban heads to region GAZA: Death toll soars to 296 as UN's Ban heads to region](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2014-07/51405728078_295x200.jpg)
A convoy of Israeli armoured personnel carriers (APC) move towards the Israeli-Gaza border on July 18, 2014. - AFP PHOTO /MENAHEM KAHANA
![PPZ-MAIWP catat RM511 juta kutipan zakat tahun ini, naik 10 peratus PPZ-MAIWP catat RM511 juta kutipan zakat tahun ini, naik 10 peratus](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/61714481430_TBNAIM.jpg)
PPZ-MAIWP catat RM511 juta kutipan zakat tahun ini, naik 10 peratus
PPZ-MAIWP mencatat kutipan zakat sebanyak RM511 juta dari Januari hingga Jun tahun ini dengan peningkatan sebanyak 10 peratus berbanding tempoh sama pada 2023.
![Misi ekonomi produk agrikomoditi ke India perkukuh hubungan dua hala Misi ekonomi produk agrikomoditi ke India perkukuh hubungan dua hala](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721130378_JohariAbdulGhani.jpg)
Misi ekonomi produk agrikomoditi ke India perkukuh hubungan dua hala
KPK akan mengadakan Misi Ekonomi Produk Agrikomoditi Malaysia ke India pada 17-18 Julai ini.
![Golongan belia pemacu penting bentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia - FMM Golongan belia pemacu penting bentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia - FMM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/41715247870_SohThianLaijpg.jpg)
Golongan belia pemacu penting bentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia - FMM
Pemimpin perniagaan dan usahawan daripada golongan belia merupakan pemacu penting yang akan membentuk masa depan industri pembuatan Malaysia, kata Presiden Persekutuan Pekilang-Pekilang Malaysia.
AWANI Tonight: 16 July 2024
#AWANITonight with @Hafiz_Marzukhi
1. Govt mulls amending Penal Code to deal with cyberbullying
2. England's Southgate resigns after Euro 2024 Final defeat
#AWANIEnglish #AWANINews
1. Govt mulls amending Penal Code to deal with cyberbullying
2. England's Southgate resigns after Euro 2024 Final defeat
#AWANIEnglish #AWANINews
![9,241 pelajar Palestin terbunuh dalam serangan Israel sejak 7 Oktober 9,241 pelajar Palestin terbunuh dalam serangan Israel sejak 7 Oktober](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/81718630490_Smokerises.jpg)
9,241 pelajar Palestin terbunuh dalam serangan Israel sejak 7 Oktober
9,318 pelajar terbunuh dan 14,671 lagi cedera di Semenanjung Gaza manakala di Tebing Barat, 103 pelajar terbunuh dan 505 lagi cedera.
![Penumpang Singapore Airlines meningkat hampir 14 peratus pada Jun Penumpang Singapore Airlines meningkat hampir 14 peratus pada Jun](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721142800_AirbusA.jpg)
Penumpang Singapore Airlines meningkat hampir 14 peratus pada Jun
Rangkaian penumpang Kumpulan SIA meliputi 125 destinasi setakat Jun dan rangkaian kargo terdiri daripada 129 destinasi.
![Empat individu termasuk pasangan pempengaruh bebas tahanan reman Empat individu termasuk pasangan pempengaruh bebas tahanan reman](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-05/41716613114_TBsprm.jpg)
Empat individu termasuk pasangan pempengaruh bebas tahanan reman
Kesemua individu juga perlu hadir ke pejabat Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia (SPRM) sebulan sekali untuk melaporkan diri.
![KPT alu-alukan syor PAC guna garis panduan pelaburan universiti awam untuk anak syarikat KPT alu-alukan syor PAC guna garis panduan pelaburan universiti awam untuk anak syarikat](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/81719822088_ZambryAbdKadir.jpg)
KPT alu-alukan syor PAC guna garis panduan pelaburan universiti awam untuk anak syarikat
KPT mengalu-alukan cadangan PAC berhubung pelaksanaan dan pemakaian Garis Panduan Pelaburan dan Pembiayaan oleh Universiti Awam 2024, kepada anak-anak syarikat di bawah seliaan kementerian itu.
![SUKMA 2024: Sepak takraw wanita mungkin digugurkan SUKMA 2024: Sepak takraw wanita mungkin digugurkan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61720679430_AbdulKarimRahman.jpg)
SUKMA 2024: Sepak takraw wanita mungkin digugurkan
Sepak takraw wanita berpasukan berkemungkinan akan digugurkan daripada senarai acara temasya Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) 2024 berikutan jumlah penyertaan kurang daripada jumlah minimum yang ditetapkan.
10 Berita Pilihan - (16 Julai 2024)
Antara pelbagai berita dalam dan luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
![Tentera Myanmar mesti mulakan langkah pertama untuk tamatkan keganasan - Ban Ki-Moon Tentera Myanmar mesti mulakan langkah pertama untuk tamatkan keganasan - Ban Ki-Moon](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2015-06/51434732213_BanKimoon.jpg)
Tentera Myanmar mesti mulakan langkah pertama untuk tamatkan keganasan - Ban Ki-Moon
Pihak tentera sendiri mesti memulakan langkah pertama untuk menamatkan krisis di Myanmar, kata bekas Ketua Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu, Ban Ki-Moon.
![Amanat pembangunan mapan Ban Ki-Moon kepada Malaysia Amanat pembangunan mapan Ban Ki-Moon kepada Malaysia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-11/41574837240_TBBANKI.jpg)
Amanat pembangunan mapan Ban Ki-Moon kepada Malaysia
Ban Ki-Moon seru semua pihak di negara ini terus mendokong Matlamat Pembangunan Mapan (SDG) PBB 2030.
![Anak saudara Ban Ki-moon dipenjara Anak saudara Ban Ki-moon dipenjara](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-09/51536289080_BRIBESCHEME.jpg)
Anak saudara Ban Ki-moon dipenjara
Anak saudara Ban Ki-moon dihukum penjara enam bulan kerana didapati bersalah cuba memberi rasuah.
![Antonio Guterres dilantik Setiausaha Agung baharu PBB Antonio Guterres dilantik Setiausaha Agung baharu PBB](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-03/41458318242_UnitedNations.jpg)
Antonio Guterres dilantik Setiausaha Agung baharu PBB
Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) secara rasmi melantik Antonio Guterres sebagai Setiausaha Agung yang baharu, menggantikan Ban Ki-Moon.
![Setiausaha Agung PBB kutuk serangan pengganas di Dhaka Setiausaha Agung PBB kutuk serangan pengganas di Dhaka](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2016-06/81467169047_BanKiMoon.jpg)
Setiausaha Agung PBB kutuk serangan pengganas di Dhaka
Ban Ki-Moon beri jaminan kepada kerajaan Bangladesh bahawa PBB sedia membantu dalam usaha mencegah semua bentuk ekstremisme ganas.
![Ban Ki-Moon puji inisiatif M'sia kecam penganiayaan kanak-kanak di zon perang Ban Ki-Moon puji inisiatif M'sia kecam penganiayaan kanak-kanak di zon perang](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2015-06/51434732213_BanKimoon.jpg)
Ban Ki-Moon puji inisiatif M'sia kecam penganiayaan kanak-kanak di zon perang
Setiausaha PBB itu mengingatkan masyarakat antarabangsa bahawa melindungi kanak-kanak adalah 'moral amat penting dan tanggungjawab undang-undang'.
![QZ8501: Setiausaha Agung PBB ucap takziah QZ8501: Setiausaha Agung PBB ucap takziah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-04/61367289851_295x200.jpg)
QZ8501: Setiausaha Agung PBB ucap takziah
Setiausaha Agung Pertubuhan Bangsa Bersatu Ban Ki-moon mengutuskan "ucapan takziah dengan sepenuh ikhlas" beliau kepada keluarga penumpang dan anak kapal pesawat AirAsia Indonesia yang terhempas.
![AS$300 juta diperlukan dalam usaha membantu mangsa taufan Haiyan AS$300 juta diperlukan dalam usaha membantu mangsa taufan Haiyan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-11/51384299716_295x200.jpg)
AS$300 juta diperlukan dalam usaha membantu mangsa taufan Haiyan
Pasca taufan Haiyan di Filipina Pertubuhan Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) melancarkan kempen rayuan untuk membantu mangsa taufan Haiyan.
![Pendekatan politik penting untuk menangani krisis Syria - PBB Pendekatan politik penting untuk menangani krisis Syria - PBB](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-01/61359015715_295x200.jpg)
Pendekatan politik penting untuk menangani krisis Syria - PBB
Ban Ki-Moon berkata pendekatan ketenteraan hanyalah boleh diguna pakai untuk tujuan pertahanan atau diluluskan oleh majlis keselamatan.
![Tentera menghala ke utara Mali Tentera menghala ke utara Mali](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-01/41358901928_295x200.jpg)
Tentera menghala ke utara Mali
Tentera kerajaan yang dibantu askar Perancis dilapor menghala ke arah utara Mali dalam usaha menghapuskan kumpulan penentang kerajaan.