Israeli infantry soldiers on the border with the Gaza Strip wake up to the 20th day of peration Cast lead, Southern Israel, 15 January 2009. Israeli ground troops pushed deep into southern Gaza City on 15 January, advancing close to the city centre and sparking heavy battles with local militants, upping the pressure on Hamas even as international efforts to reach a truce seemed to be gaining momentum. As the UN and Germanys top diplomats were holding talks with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Israeli ground troops were taking on Hamas and other militants as close as 1.5 kilometres from the city centre, Gaza City residents said. Backed by heavy tank shelling, the troops concentrated in the southern Tel el-Hawa neighbourhood made their deepest push yet into the city of 400,000 and were now very close to Gaza City's Islamic University and United Nations headquarters, they said

An Israeli soldier prays next to his armoured personnelc carrier (APC) in a staging area in southern Israel, early 15 January 2009 morning as soldiers prepare their vehicles including a column of tanks to enter the fighting in the Gaza Strip. Israeli ground troops pushed deep into southern Gaza City on 15 January, advancing close to the city centre and sparking heavy battles with local militants, upping the pressure on Hamas even as international efforts to reach a truce seemed to be gaining momentum. As the UN and Germanys top diplomats were holding talks with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Israeli ground troops were taking on Hamas and other militants as close as 1.5 kilometres from the city centre, Gaza City residents said. Backed by heavy tank shelling, the troops concentrated in the southern Tel el-Hawa neighbourhood made their deepest push yet into the city of 400,000 and were now very close to Gaza City's Islamic University and United Nations headquarters, they said. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90

An Israeli soldier prays next to his armoured personnelc carrier (APC) in a staging area in southern Israel, early 15 January 2009 morning as soldiers prepare their vehicles including a column of tanks to enter the fighting in the Gaza Strip. Israeli ground troops pushed deep into southern Gaza City on 15 January, advancing close to the city centre and sparking heavy battles with local militants, upping the pressure on Hamas even as international efforts to reach a truce seemed to be gaining momentum. As the UN and Germanys top diplomats were holding talks with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Israeli ground troops were taking on Hamas and other militants as close as 1.5 kilometres from the city centre, Gaza City residents said. Backed by heavy tank shelling, the troops concentrated in the southern Tel el-Hawa neighbourhood made their deepest push yet into the city of 400,000 and were now very close to Gaza City's Islamic University and United Nations headquarters, they said. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90

Israeli tanks in a staging area in southern Israel along the Gaza Strip border as they prepare to enter the fight in the Gaza Strip, early 15 January 2009. Israeli ground troops pushed deep into southern Gaza City on 15 January, advancing close to the city centre and sparking heavy battles with local militants, upping the pressure on Hamas even as international efforts to reach a truce seemed to be gaining momentum. As the UN and Germanys top diplomats were holding talks with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Israeli ground troops were taking on Hamas and other militants as close as 1.5 kilometres from the city centre, Gaza City residents said. Backed by heavy tank shelling, the troops concentrated in the southern Tel el-Hawa neighbourhood made their deepest push yet into the city of 400,000 and were now very close to Gaza City's Islamic University and United Nations headquarters, they said. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90

Cleaning the barrel ofIsraeli tanks in a staging area in southern Israel along the Gaza Strip border as they prepare to enter the fight in the Gaza Strip, early 15 January 2009. Israeli ground troops pushed deep into southern Gaza City on 15 January, advancing close to the city centre and sparking heavy battles with local militants, upping the pressure on Hamas even as international efforts to reach a truce seemed to be gaining momentum. As the UN and Germanys top diplomats were holding talks with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Israeli ground troops were taking on Hamas and other militants as close as 1.5 kilometres from the city centre, Gaza City residents said. Backed by heavy tank shelling, the troops concentrated in the southern Tel el-Hawa neighbourhood made their deepest push yet into the city of 400,000 and were now very close to Gaza City's Islamic University and United Nations headquarters, they said. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90

Cleaning the barrel ofIsraeli tanks in a staging area in southern Israel along the Gaza Strip border as they prepare to enter the fight in the Gaza Strip, early 15 January 2009. Israeli ground troops pushed deep into southern Gaza City on 15 January, advancing close to the city centre and sparking heavy battles with local militants, upping the pressure on Hamas even as international efforts to reach a truce seemed to be gaining momentum. As the UN and Germanys top diplomats were holding talks with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Israeli ground troops were taking on Hamas and other militants as close as 1.5 kilometres from the city centre, Gaza City residents said. Backed by heavy tank shelling, the troops concentrated in the southern Tel el-Hawa neighbourhood made their deepest push yet into the city of 400,000 and were now very close to Gaza City's Islamic University and United Nations headquarters, they said. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90

Cleaning the barrel ofIsraeli tanks in a staging area in southern Israel along the Gaza Strip border as they prepare to enter the fight in the Gaza Strip, early 15 January 2009. Israeli ground troops pushed deep into southern Gaza City on 15 January, advancing close to the city centre and sparking heavy battles with local militants, upping the pressure on Hamas even as international efforts to reach a truce seemed to be gaining momentum. As the UN and Germanys top diplomats were holding talks with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Israeli ground troops were taking on Hamas and other militants as close as 1.5 kilometres from the city centre, Gaza City residents said. Backed by heavy tank shelling, the troops concentrated in the southern Tel el-Hawa neighbourhood made their deepest push yet into the city of 400,000 and were now very close to Gaza City's Islamic University and United Nations headquarters, they said. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90

Israeli solder hangs flags on his tank in Gaza Strip on January 15, 2009 in a deployment area near the Israeli border with Gaza Strip. Israeli tanks rumbled ever deeper into Gaza cities early on Thursday, barrelling into several neighbourhoods of the enclave's capital and into a major city in the south, witnesses and correspondents said. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90

Israeli soldiers on the border with the Gaza Strip, Southern Israel, 15 January 2009. Israeli ground troops pushed deep into southern Gaza City on 15 January, advancing close to the city centre and sparking heavy battles with local militants, upping the pressure on Hamas even as international efforts to reach a truce seemed to be gaining momentum. As the UN and Germanys top diplomats were holding talks with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Israeli ground troops were taking on Hamas and other militants as close as 1.5 kilometres from the city centre, Gaza City residents said. Backed by heavy tank shelling, the troops concentrated in the southern Tel el-Hawa neighbourhood made their deepest push yet into the city of 400,000 and were now very close to Gaza City's Islamic University and United Nations headquarters, they said. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90

Israeli tanks in a staging area in southern Israel along the Gaza Strip border as they prepare to enter the fight in the Gaza Strip, early 15 January 2009. Israeli ground troops pushed deep into southern Gaza City on 15 January, advancing close to the city centre and sparking heavy battles with local militants, upping the pressure on Hamas even as international efforts to reach a truce seemed to be gaining momentum. As the UN and Germanys top diplomats were holding talks with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Israeli ground troops were taking on Hamas and other militants as close as 1.5 kilometres from the city centre, Gaza City residents said. Backed by heavy tank shelling, the troops concentrated in the southern Tel el-Hawa neighbourhood made their deepest push yet into the city of 400,000 and were now very close to Gaza City's Islamic University and United Nations headquarters, they said. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90

Israeli tanks in a staging area in southern Israel along the Gaza Strip border as they prepare to enter the fight in the Gaza Strip, early 15 January 2009. Israeli ground troops pushed deep into southern Gaza City on 15 January, advancing close to the city centre and sparking heavy battles with local militants, upping the pressure on Hamas even as international efforts to reach a truce seemed to be gaining momentum. As the UN and Germanys top diplomats were holding talks with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Israeli ground troops were taking on Hamas and other militants as close as 1.5 kilometres from the city centre, Gaza City residents said. Backed by heavy tank shelling, the troops concentrated in the southern Tel el-Hawa neighbourhood made their deepest push yet into the city of 400,000 and were now very close to Gaza City's Islamic University and United Nations headquarters, they said. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90

Israeli soldiers on the border with the Gaza Strip, Southern Israel, 15 January 2009. Israeli ground troops pushed deep into southern Gaza City on 15 January, advancing close to the city centre and sparking heavy battles with local militants, upping the pressure on Hamas even as international efforts to reach a truce seemed to be gaining momentum. As the UN and Germanys top diplomats were holding talks with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Israeli ground troops were taking on Hamas and other militants as close as 1.5 kilometres from the city centre, Gaza City residents said. Backed by heavy tank shelling, the troops concentrated in the southern Tel el-Hawa neighbourhood made their deepest push yet into the city of 400,000 and were now very close to Gaza City's Islamic University and United Nations headquarters, they said. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90

An Israeli tank kicks up dust making its way to enter the Gaza Strip from in southern Israel, 15 January 2009. Israeli ground troops pushed deep into southern Gaza City on 15 January, advancing close to the city centre and sparking heavy battles with local militants, upping the pressure on Hamas even as international efforts to reach a truce seemed to be gaining momentum. As the UN and Germany‘s top diplomats were holding talks with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Israeli ground troops were taking on Hamas and other militants as close as 1.5 kilometres from the city centre, Gaza City residents said. Backed by heavy tank shelling, the troops concentrated in the southern Tel el-Hawa neighbourhood made their deepest push yet into the city of 400,000 and were now "very close" to Gaza City's Islamic University and United Nations headquarters, they said. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90

An Israeli tank kicks up dust making its way to enter the Gaza Strip from in southern Israel, 15 January 2009. Israeli ground troops pushed deep into southern Gaza City on 15 January, advancing close to the city centre and sparking heavy battles with local militants, upping the pressure on Hamas even as international efforts to reach a truce seemed to be gaining momentum. As the UN and Germany‘s top diplomats were holding talks with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Israeli ground troops were taking on Hamas and other militants as close as 1.5 kilometres from the city centre, Gaza City residents said. Backed by heavy tank shelling, the troops concentrated in the southern Tel el-Hawa neighbourhood made their deepest push yet into the city of 400,000 and were now "very close" to Gaza City's Islamic University and United Nations headquarters, they said. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90

Israeli tanks roll down a road toward a gate leading into the Gaza Strip, 15 January 2009. Israeli ground troops pushed deep into southern Gaza City on 15 January, advancing close to the city centre and sparking heavy battles with local militants, upping the pressure on Hamas even as international efforts to reach a truce seemed to be gaining momentum. As the UN and Germany‘s top diplomats were holding talks with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Israeli ground troops were taking on Hamas and other militants as close as 1.5 kilometres from the city centre, Gaza City residents said. Backed by heavy tank shelling, the troops concentrated in the southern Tel el-Hawa neighbourhood made their deepest push yet into the city of 400,000 and were now "very close" to Gaza City's Islamic University and United Nations headquarters, they said. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90

Israeli tanks roll toward a gate leading into the Gaza Strip, 15 January 2009. Israeli ground troops pushed deep into southern Gaza City on 15 January, advancing close to the city centre and sparking heavy battles with local militants, upping the pressure on Hamas even as international efforts to reach a truce seemed to be gaining momentum. As the UN and Germany‘s top diplomats were holding talks with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Israeli ground troops were taking on Hamas and other militants as close as 1.5 kilometres from the city centre, Gaza City residents said. Backed by heavy tank shelling, the troops concentrated in the southern Tel el-Hawa neighbourhood made their deepest push yet into the city of 400,000 and were now "very close" to Gaza City's Islamic University and United Nations headquarters, they said. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90

Israeli tanks roll toward a gate leading into the Gaza Strip, 15 January 2009. Israeli ground troops pushed deep into southern Gaza City on 15 January, advancing close to the city centre and sparking heavy battles with local militants, upping the pressure on Hamas even as international efforts to reach a truce seemed to be gaining momentum. As the UN and Germany‘s top diplomats were holding talks with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Israeli ground troops were taking on Hamas and other militants as close as 1.5 kilometres from the city centre, Gaza City residents said. Backed by heavy tank shelling, the troops concentrated in the southern Tel el-Hawa neighbourhood made their deepest push yet into the city of 400,000 and were now "very close" to Gaza City's Islamic University and United Nations headquarters, they said. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90

Smoke rises from the Gaza Strip near Nahal Oz and the Karni Crossing, Southern Israel, 15 January 2009. Israeli ground troops pushed deep into southern Gaza City on 15 January, advancing close to the city centre and sparking heavy battles with local militants, upping the pressure on Hamas even as international efforts to reach a truce seemed to be gaining momentum. As the UN and Germanys top diplomats were holding talks with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Israeli ground troops were taking on Hamas and other militants as close as 1.5 kilometres from the city centre, Gaza City residents said. Backed by heavy tank shelling, the troops concentrated in the southern Tel el-Hawa neighbourhood made their deepest push yet into the city of 400,000 and were now very close to Gaza City's Islamic University and United Nations headquarters, they said. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90

A large smokey fire burns out of control inside the Gaza Strip near Nahal Oz and the Karni Crossing, Southern Israel, 15 January 2009. Israeli ground troops pushed deep into southern Gaza City on 15 January, advancing close to the city centre and sparking heavy battles with local militants, upping the pressure on Hamas even as international efforts to reach a truce seemed to be gaining momentum. As the UN and Germanys top diplomats were holding talks with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Israeli ground troops were taking on Hamas and other militants as close as 1.5 kilometres from the city centre, Gaza City residents said. Backed by heavy tank shelling, the troops concentrated in the southern Tel el-Hawa neighbourhood made their deepest push yet into the city of 400,000 and were now very close to Gaza City's Islamic University and United Nations headquarters, they said. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90

Smoke rises from the Gaza Strip near Nahal Oz and the Karni Crossing, Southern Israel, 15 January 2009. Israeli ground troops pushed deep into southern Gaza City on 15 January, advancing close to the city centre and sparking heavy battles with local militants, upping the pressure on Hamas even as international efforts to reach a truce seemed to be gaining momentum. As the UN and Germanys top diplomats were holding talks with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Israeli ground troops were taking on Hamas and other militants as close as 1.5 kilometres from the city centre, Gaza City residents said. Backed by heavy tank shelling, the troops concentrated in the southern Tel el-Hawa neighbourhood made their deepest push yet into the city of 400,000 and were now very close to Gaza City's Islamic University and United Nations headquarters, they said. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90

As the Gaza Strip is under fire (behind) from various Israeli air strikes, artillery shelling and missile strikes, some Israeli farmers continue to cultivate their fields alongside the war's border inside southern Israel on 15 January 2009. Prodded by Egypt, Israel and Hamas appear to be stumbling toward a ceasefire to bring an end to the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, which entered its 20th day. PHoto by Nati Shohat/Flash90

As the Gaza Strip is under fire (behind) from various Israeli air strikes, artillery shelling and missile strikes, some Israeli farmers continue to cultivate their fields alongside the war's border inside southern Israel on 15 January 2009. Prodded by Egypt, Israel and Hamas appear to be stumbling toward a ceasefire to bring an end to the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, which entered its 20th day. PHoto by Nati Shohat/Flash90

As the Gaza Strip is under fire (behind) from various Israeli air strikes, artillery shelling and missile strikes, some Israeli farmers continue to cultivate their fields alongside the war's border inside southern Israel on 15 January 2009. Prodded by Egypt, Israel and Hamas appear to be stumbling toward a ceasefire to bring an end to the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip, which entered its 20th day. PHoto by Nati Shohat/Flash90

Israeli infantry soldiers on the border with the Gaza Strip, Southern Israel, 15 January 2009. Israeli ground troops pushed deep into southern Gaza City on 15 January, advancing close to the city centre and sparking heavy battles with local militants, upping the pressure on Hamas even as international efforts to reach a truce seemed to be gaining momentum. As the UN and Germanys top diplomats were holding talks with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Israeli ground troops were taking on Hamas and other militants as close as 1.5 kilometres from the city centre, Gaza City residents said. Backed by heavy tank shelling, the troops concentrated in the southern Tel el-Hawa neighbourhood made their deepest push yet into the city of 400,000 and were now very close to Gaza City's Islamic University and United Nations headquarters, they said. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90

Israeli infantry soldiers on the border with the Gaza Strip, Southern Israel, 15 January 2009. Israeli ground troops pushed deep into southern Gaza City on 15 January, advancing close to the city centre and sparking heavy battles with local militants, upping the pressure on Hamas even as international efforts to reach a truce seemed to be gaining momentum. As the UN and Germanys top diplomats were holding talks with Israeli leaders in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the Israeli ground troops were taking on Hamas and other militants as close as 1.5 kilometres from the city centre, Gaza City residents said. Backed by heavy tank shelling, the troops concentrated in the southern Tel el-Hawa neighbourhood made their deepest push yet into the city of 400,000 and were now very close to Gaza City's Islamic University and United Nations headquarters, they said. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90