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As many as 90 Palestinians and 13 Israeli soldiers died overnight during heavy fighting in Gaza City's Shejaiya neighborhood.It was the deadliest day since the conflict between Israel and Hamas broke out nearly two weeks ago. At least 2 Israeli soldiers were killed and others were injured as they were met with anti-tank missiles and fire from automatic weapons during skirmishes. (Update: Israeli officials have updated that number: 13 Israeli soldiers died.)
Some context from the Times of Israel:
Military sources say the Shejaiya neighborhood in Gaza City is a Hamas stronghold and that more than 150 rockets have been launched from that area into Israel over the past two weeks.
Israel also claims that ten Hamas tunnels were uncovered in Shejaiya. The tunnels, the chief reason given for Israel's ground invasion of Gaza, have been used in infiltration attacks (and attempted attacks) that have killed at least two Israeli soldiers so far.
At the behest of the Red Cross, Israel and Hamas agreed to a localized humanitarian truce in the neighborhood that lasted two hours earlier today, but was eventually extended to four hours.
#BBC #Gaza IDF says it will extend its humanitarian ceasefire for Shejaiya until 1730 local following a request by the Red Cross.
— Kelvin Brown (@KelvinNews) July 20, 2014
Israel alleges that the truce was broken several times by Hamas.