The Israeli military has begun a ground offensive against Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip, extending its 10 day old Operation Protective Edge.

It said it was in response to continued militant rocket fire and to strike a significant blow to Hamas, which controls Gaza. Hamas said Israel would pay a high price for the ground offensive.

Meanwhile UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon has urged Israel to do far more to spare Palestinian civilians after it launched a ground offensive in Gaza.

Talking to reporters yesterday, Ban said that despite his repeated urgings, and those of many regional and world leaders together, an already dangerous conflict has now escalated even further.