Four members of a Palestinian bomb disposal unit were among six people killed when a devise they were attempting to diffuse exploded.

A Italian journalist also died in the blast in the northern city of Beit Lahia.

Talks continue in Egypt over extending the current, fragile ceasefire beyond this evenings deadline.

Israeli Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said: “Without getting rid of Hamas, it won’t be possible to make any satisfactory progress or arrangements in terms of security and diplomacy.”

In Khan Younis in southern Gaza Hamas held a rally with supporters coming onto the streets in a show of unity.

Yahia Moussa is a Hamas leader:
“We don’t accept any less than what the resistance deserves, we won’t accept any agreement that doesn’t include the freedom of the people, the lifting of the siege, and the ability to live with dignity.”

Turkey, has meanwhile, airlifted a number of severely injured Palestinians out of Gaza to undergo specialist treatment in Ankara.

Hospitals in Gaza are overrun and lack basic facilities.