Israel May 'Broaden' Assault As Truce Stalls

Israel is preparing to "broaden" its ground assault on Gaza after reportedly rejecting an international plan for a week-long truce.

US Secretary of State John Kerry remains "confident progress can be made" on a seven-day truce that would "bring people together to create a more durable plan".

Both sides reportedly agreed to observe a 12-hour pause in hostilities from 8am (6am UK time) on Saturday after five Palestinians were killed in the West Bank as violence spread to the territory.

However, on Friday evening Israel's defence minister told troops: "You need to be ready for the possibility that very soon we will instruct the military to significantly broaden the ground operation in Gaza."

John Kerry speaks with Qatar's Foreign Minister about the truce

Even as the brief respite approached, eight Palestinians were reportedly killed by an airstrike in Gaza and Israeli troops shot dead two teenagers in continuing West Bank protests in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Nasri Mahmud Paqatqa, 16, was killed and five others wounded in a clash at the village of Beit Fajar, south of Bethlehem and 18-year-old Bassem Abu Rub died in a protest at the Jalama military checkpoint in the northern West Bank, Palestinian officials told AFP.

In Gaza, two Israeli soldiers were killed in fighting on Friday evening, the army confirmed.

Smoke billows from Gaza City after Israeli airstrikes

Mr Kerry is now heading to Paris for international talks on a ceasefire, with Britain, Germany, Turkey and Qatar among those attending.

He told a news conference in Cairo a "fundamental framework" for peace was in place and that it would "ultimately succeed".

"The world is watching tragic moment after tragic moment unfold and is wondering when everybody is going to come to their senses," said Mr Kerry.

An unnamed source from the Israeli government said they were seeking modifications as the truce proposal "leans too much towards Hamas demands".

Speaking alongside Mr Kerry, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said there had been "tireless efforts" to bring both sides to the table, and that the people of Gaza have "bled enough".

A map showing the areas of conflict and violence

"They are trapped… living under constant fear of rocket attacks," he said. "Surely now, all parties must realise it's time to act."

The bombardment continued in Gaza, with two children and a pregnant woman among 55 killed by Israeli strikes according to officials - though doctors managed to save the unborn child.

Meanwhile, Sky's Sherine Tadros witnessed a "barrage" of rockets fired out of Gaza by militants. Many were intercepted and no casualties were reported.

Some 140,000 people have fled Gaza since the conflict began on July 8. More than 850 Palestinians have lost their lives.

Three civilians have died in Israel from rocket fire, while 37 Israeli soldiers have been killed during combat.

Security concerns prompted several airlines to stop flying to Tel Aviv earlier this week - but both Air France and Lufthansa have now lifted their bans.

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