Israel has launched a ground offensive in Gaza with residents reporting heavy shelling in the area.
Palestinian health officials say 27 Palestinians, including a baby, two children and a 70-year-old woman, have been killed since Israel sent ground forces into the densely-populated strip of 1.8 million Palestinians.
Israel's attack on Gaza in a bid to stop rockets by Hamas has left at least 172 Palestinians dead, AFP reports citing officials in the region.
Eighteen members of the same family are reported to have been killed in an Israeli air strike on Saturday.
Around 10,000 people have abandoned their homes in Gaza and taken shelter following warnings from the Israeli armed forces.
It's been an emotionally exhausting day in Israel and Gaza as hopes for peace were raised then dashed then raised then dashed again.
In the court of international opinion, this is how Israel wins a battle and still manages to lose the war.
Until the Israelis and the Palestinians find a way of resolving the underlining conflict this will not be more than a pause.