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Israel warns of 'escalation'

Israel has defied international calls to end violence that has killed more than 100 people in the Gaza Strip.At least 61 Gazans and two Israeli soldiers died in the Hamas-controlled border territory on Saturday, the bloodiest day for Palestinians since an uprising against the Israeli occupation began in 2000.Half the casualties are said to be civilians and Egypt has reportedly allowed wounded Palestinians to cross its border with Gaza for medical treatment.The Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has cut off all dialogue with Tel Aviv in protest at the ongoing military operation.The United Nations Security Council has urged Israel and Palestinian militants to stop all violence in Gaza.And UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned what he called Israel's "excessive" use of force in the region.But Ehud Barak, the Jewish state's defence minister, responded by warning of a possible escalation of military action in the Gaza Strip.He said: "We will continue our action with all our strength and we need to prepare for escalation, because a broad ground operation is real and tangible."Israeli troops, backed by helicopters, pushed deep into Gaza on Wednesday after Palestinian militants fired a rocket across the border, killing an Israeli civilian.At least 26 more rockets have been launched by the Palestinians since the invasion, the UN said, but the Israelis have been retaliating with missile strikes of their own.But the Security Council issued a statement saying members were "deeply concerned about the loss of civilian life in southern Israel and Gaza" and condemning the escalation of violence.Ban Ki-moon told an emergency session of the council: "While recognizing Israel's right to defend itself, I condemn the disproportionate and excessive use of force that has killed and injured so many civilians, including children."The Pope has called for an end to the conflict in a statement.© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.

ITN | March 2, 2008Watch more videos from ITN

Tags:. .minister. .military. .medical. .launched. .deeply











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