Israeli troops are pushing deeper into Gaza and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the military is ready for a “significant expansion” of the ground offensive against Hamas. CCTV’s Stephanie Freid is following developments in Tel Aviv.

Israel steps up Gaza ground offensive

Israeli troops are pushing deeper into Gaza and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the military is ready for a "significant expansion" of the ground offensive against Hamas. CCTV's Stephanie Freid is following developments in Tel Aviv.

To discuss the Gaza crisis, CCTV’s Elaine Reyes is joined by Rochelle Davis, Professor of Cultural Anthropology at Georgetown University.

Rochelle Davis on the Gaza crisis

To discuss the Gaza crisis, CCTV's Elaine Reyes is joined by Rochelle Davis, Professor of Cultural Anthropology at Georgetown University.

Israeli troops pushed deeper into Gaza on Friday to destroy rocket launching sites and tunnels, firing volleys of tank shells and clashing with Palestinian fighters in a high-stakes ground offensive meant to weaken the enclave’s Hamas rulers.

The ground offensive came after a 10-day campaign of more than 2,000 air strikes against Gaza failed to halt relentless Hamas rocket fire on Israeli cities.

Israeli defence officials said soldiers faced very little resistance during the ground operation, but the longer the military keeps a presence in Gaza, the greater the risk for heavy casualties on both sides.Forces are expected to spend a day or two staking ground and are working in the north, east and south of the Gaza Strip.

The death toll in the Gaza Strip is rising as the Israeli ground offensive enters its second day. Palestinian sources say more than 250 people have died since Israel’s air and now ground campaign began. Israel says one Israeli soldier has been killed in the offensive.

On Friday, many Palestinians buried their dead and protests against Israel’s actions were held across the world. CCTV’s Nathan King reports.

More than 250 Palestinians killed in Gaza conflict

The death toll in the Gaza Strip is rising as the Israeli ground offensive enters its second day. Palestinian sources say more than 250 people have died since Israel's air and now ground campaign began. Israel says one Israeli soldier has been killed in the offensive. On Friday, many Palestinians buried their dead and protests against Israel's actions were held across the world. CCTV's Nathan King reports.

And for more on the conflict in Gaza we were joined by Edward Djerejian. He’s a former US ambassador to Syria and Israel. He joined us from Houston.

Ambassador Edward P. Djerejian on Gaza conflict

And for more on the conflict in Gaza we were joined by Edward Djerejian. He's a former US ambassador to Syria and Israel.