International criticism of Israel's offensive increased on Saturday, as Gaza officials reported over 300 Palestinians had been killed since the conflict between Israel and Hamas erupted 12 days ago.
Echoing Turkey's condemnation of Israel's offensive as an act of genocide of the Palestinian people, the Venezuelan government spokesperson said Israel had "initiated a higher phase of its policy of genocide and extermination with the ground invasion of Palestinian territory, killing innocent men, women, girls and boys."
In Cape Town, the South African government came under increasing pressure to take action on the conflict, with the African National Congress officials urging the government to expel the Israeli ambassador, Sisa Ngombane.
"We will support our leaders while they take necessary action and recall our ambassador to Israel and expel Israeli's ambassador to South Africa," and ANC youth league official was quoted by News24 as saying.
Calling on Israel to conduct its offensive "in a way that minimises civilian casualties", the US President Barack Obama told journalists at the White House "the US and our friends and allies are deeply concerned about the risks of further escalation and the loss of more innocent life", reported the BBC.
Saturday saw widespread protests in capital cities worldwide against Israel's actions in Gaza. In London thousands marched in support of Palestine on Saturday, chanting "Israel is a terrorist state", the Telegraph reported.
In Turkey, tens of thousands of protesters have been gathering outside the Israeli embassy calling for an end of the Gaza occupation. Responding to the protests, Israel said on Friday it would reduce its diplomatic presence in the country, and has warned its citizens against traveling there, reports Reuters.
In Paris, protesters clashed with police, after French authorities banned anti-Israel protests following attacks against synagogues last weekend. Riot police fired tear gas as protesters defied the ban and took to the streets. See here and here.
Meanwhile the fighting continued, with two Israeli soldiers being killed by Hamas fighters who, the New York Times reports, used a secret network of tunnels to enter Israel and attack, before driving away.
Amid the increasing violence, the Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas is set to meet with Hamas' political leader Khaled Meshaal in Qatar on Sunday, in order to discuss a further truce, AFP reports.
On Thursday, both sides observed a five hour humanitarian truce, however fighting resumed immediately, with Israel launching a ground offensive into Gaza on Friday.
A ceasefire agreement proposed by Egypt earlier this week collapsed after it was rejected by Hamas' military wing, which stated the key demands of the Palestinian people were not addressed. Israel had accepted the proposals.
Violence between the two sides has escalated despite a call from the UN Security Council for a ceasefire.
The recent episode of violence in the Middle-East began after three Israeli teenagers were kidnapped and found dead. Israel launched air strikes over Gaza, accused Hamas of carrying out the crime. Hamas has denied this accusation. In a suspected revenge attack, a Palestinian teenager was burnt alive by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
Echoing Turkey's condemnation of Israel's offensive as an act of genocide of the Palestinian people, the Venezuelan government spokesperson said Israel had "initiated a higher phase of its policy of genocide and extermination with the ground invasion of Palestinian territory, killing innocent men, women, girls and boys."
In Cape Town, the South African government came under increasing pressure to take action on the conflict, with the African National Congress officials urging the government to expel the Israeli ambassador, Sisa Ngombane.
"We will support our leaders while they take necessary action and recall our ambassador to Israel and expel Israeli's ambassador to South Africa," and ANC youth league official was quoted by News24 as saying.
Calling on Israel to conduct its offensive "in a way that minimises civilian casualties", the US President Barack Obama told journalists at the White House "the US and our friends and allies are deeply concerned about the risks of further escalation and the loss of more innocent life", reported the BBC.
Saturday saw widespread protests in capital cities worldwide against Israel's actions in Gaza. In London thousands marched in support of Palestine on Saturday, chanting "Israel is a terrorist state", the Telegraph reported.
In Turkey, tens of thousands of protesters have been gathering outside the Israeli embassy calling for an end of the Gaza occupation. Responding to the protests, Israel said on Friday it would reduce its diplomatic presence in the country, and has warned its citizens against traveling there, reports Reuters.
In Paris, protesters clashed with police, after French authorities banned anti-Israel protests following attacks against synagogues last weekend. Riot police fired tear gas as protesters defied the ban and took to the streets. See here and here.
Meanwhile the fighting continued, with two Israeli soldiers being killed by Hamas fighters who, the New York Times reports, used a secret network of tunnels to enter Israel and attack, before driving away.
Amid the increasing violence, the Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas is set to meet with Hamas' political leader Khaled Meshaal in Qatar on Sunday, in order to discuss a further truce, AFP reports.
On Thursday, both sides observed a five hour humanitarian truce, however fighting resumed immediately, with Israel launching a ground offensive into Gaza on Friday.
A ceasefire agreement proposed by Egypt earlier this week collapsed after it was rejected by Hamas' military wing, which stated the key demands of the Palestinian people were not addressed. Israel had accepted the proposals.
Violence between the two sides has escalated despite a call from the UN Security Council for a ceasefire.
The recent episode of violence in the Middle-East began after three Israeli teenagers were kidnapped and found dead. Israel launched air strikes over Gaza, accused Hamas of carrying out the crime. Hamas has denied this accusation. In a suspected revenge attack, a Palestinian teenager was burnt alive by Israeli settlers in the West Bank.