High security along the border with Gaza as the death toll climbed above 500. Israeli forces were on the move ---- their advance --- backed by jets and tank fire.
They pounded this neighborhood near the southern border --- wounded civilians had to evacuate --- including children. Injuries weren't confined to Gaza --- Israeli forces suffered several injuries as Hamas fired across the border.
By late afternoon, the Islamist group's deputy chief had, had enough.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DEPUTY HAMAS CHIEF ISMAIL HANIYEH, SAYING:
"Gaza is a graveyard for the invaders ."
Ismail Haniyeh called for a ceasefire with these terms.
(SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) DEPUTY HAMAS CHIEF ISMAIL HANIYEH, SAYING:
"The aggression must be stopped and a guarantee should be given it would not be repeated. The blockade must be lifted, this unjust blockade that our Palestinian people are living in."
His call for a ceasefire came in the wake of many calls from the West for an end to the violence - and as Washington dispatched its top diplomat to Egypt to try and broker a truce.
