DEPUTY ISRAELI DEFENSE MINISTER THREATENS GAZA WITH HOLOCAUST

BBC - Israel warns of invasion of Gaza Bombed building in Gaza Israel air strikes pounded targets in Gaza for a second night Israel's deputy defense minister has said Israel will have "no choice" but to invade Gaza if Palestinian militants step up rocket attacks. Matan Vilnai said Palestinians risked a "shoah," the Hebrew word for a big disaster - and for the Nazi Holocaust. . .

The BBC's Katya Adler in Jerusalem says many of Mr Vilnai's colleagues have quickly distanced themselves from his comments and also tried to downplay, them saying he did not mean genocide. . .

A recent opinion poll has indicated a majority of Israelis favour a truce with Hamas. The Islamist movement, which seized control of Gaza in June, has said it will cease fire if Israel stops its military operations in Palestinian areas and ends the blockade of the territory which has cut essential supplies to its 1.5m inhabitants.