GAZA CITY: Israeli warplanes kept up their deadly raids on Gaza on Thursday, killing 30 more Palestinians, but failed to prevent Hamas from firing rockets at Jerusalem, two of which struck near settlements in the West Bank.

As the violence escalated, UN chief Ban Ki-moon appealed for an immediate ceasefire at an emergency meeting of the Security Council.

A series of loud explosions echoed across the city as the Iron Dome anti-missile system shot down two rockets fired from Gaza.

Since the start of the Israeli attacks on Tuesday, 82 Palestinians have been killed and more than 500 injured.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2014