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.
Israeli strikes in central Gaza city are "intensifying", according to reports.
NBC News' Chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel tweeted:
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.