Tuesday marked 50 days since the start of the Israeli-Gaza offensive, with Israeli air strikes launched before dawn killing two Palestinians and destroying much of one of Gaza's tallest apartment and office buildings. The strikes set off huge explosions and wounded 20 people.
Israel had no immediate comment on the attacks that took place as Egyptian mediators stepped up efforts to achieve an elusive ceasefire to end seven weeks of fighting.
Hamas announced Tuesday it had reached "understandings" with Israel to end the conflict that has killed more than 2,000 people – but there was no confirmation from Jerusalem of the claim.
Above: A Palestinian man inspects his house, which witnesses said was hit by an Israeli air strike, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Tuesday.
