Nearly 100 Palestinians Killed In A Day As Israel Steps Up Gaza Airstrikes

At least 100 Palestinians were killed Tuesday in airstrikes as Israel intensified its assault on Gaza, Palestinian health officials told the Associated Press.

The death toll includes those who were killed starting Monday night at 12 a.m., according to Ashraf al-Kidra, a Gaza health official. That brings the total number of Palestinians killed to over 1,100 since Israel's offensive began July 8. Another 6,700 have been injured.

Israel said five Israeli soldiers were killed on Monday in clashes between militants as they tried to cross the border, army officials told the BBC. A total of 53 Israeli soldiers and three Israeli civilians have died so far.

Israel said it will not stop the airstrikes until it destroys all of the tunnels Hamas militants in Gaza use to sneak under the border into Israel.

"We will not finish the operation without neutralizing the tunnels, which have the sole purpose of destroying our citizens, killing our children," Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a televised speech Monday night, the BBC reported.

Gaza's only power plant was engulfed in flames on Tuesday after it was reportedly struck by a shell from an Israeli tank. The plant was forced to shut down, which will most likely make conditions worse for Gaza residents already living with limited power.

Residents throughout the strip say they can hear the constant bombings and explosions.

"Our children...can't hear because of the loud explosions and they are shaking," resident Um Hani Abu Ryalah told the AP.

As the airstrikes continue, Hamas has matched the hostilities with rockets launched towards Israel. However, most have been intercepted by Israel's anti-missile defense system the Iron Dome.

Negotiation efforts between Israel and the Islamic militant group have been underway. But both sides have set standards the other seems unwilling to meet.

Israel demands the armed militants hand over their weapons, Reuters reported. While Hamas wants Israel and Egypt to end the blockade on Gaza.

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