Tuesday is the eleventh day since Israeli forces launched strikes on the Hamas-governed Gaza Strip. Israel says the main aim is to stop rocket fire on southern Israel.

On Monday, the second full day of an Israeli ground offensive troops exchanged heavy fire with Palestinian fighters. The clash took place for the first time in a densely-populated area in Gaza City.

The expansion of Israel's military operation into ground battles is taking an increasingly heavy toll on civilians in the Gaza Strip.

UN and Gaza health officials report that more than 550 Palestinians have been killed and at least 200 of the victims were civilians.

Meanwhile, more than 25-hundred Palestinians have been wounded. Five Israelis have been killed since the offensive began, including a soldier killed in ground operations.

GRAPHICS

ISRAELI STRIKES ON GAZA

CASUALTY TOLL

Palestinians

Dead: more than 550

Wounded: around 2,500

Israelis

Dead: 5

Sources: UN, Gaza health officials

(CCTV January 7, 2009)