Israeli forces batter central, south Gaza as tanks advance in Rafah

No signs of a breakthrough as mediators try to reconcile ceasefire demands: Sources

With a renewed ceasefire push in the eight-month-old Gaza war stalled, Israel bombarded central and southern areas again on June 7, killing at least 28 people, and tank forces advanced to the western edges of Rafah.

Qatari and Egyptian mediators backed by the United States have tried again this week to reconcile clashing demands preventing a halt to the hostilities, a release of Israeli hostages and Palestinians jailed in Israel, and an untrammelled flow of aid into Gaza to alleviate a humanitarian disaster.

But sources close to the talks said there were still no signs of a breakthrough.

A month after rumbling into Rafah in what Israel said was an assault to wipe out Hamas' last intact combat units, tank-led forces have advanced to the south-west fringes of the city that skirts the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt, residents said.

They said tanks were stationed in the al-Izba district near the Mediterranean coast, while snipers had commandeered some buildings and high ground, trapping people in their homes.

They added that Israeli machine gun fire had made it too dangerous to go out.

Gaza health officials said two people had been killed and several wounded in western Rafah from tank shelling.

In central Gaza, Palestinian medics said at least 15 people died overnight in Israeli bombardments.