The European Commission is to take “time-out” on its talks with Israel on upgrading relations. The head of its delegation to Israel said the decision was taken in light of the current conflict in Gaza.

The murder and senseless killing of innocent civilians has to stop, says Shay Cullen. The International Criminal Court has to be strengthened to bring those accused of war crimes to justice

A senior Welsh church leader has joined worldwide questioning of an Israeli missile attack on a church-run health clinic in Gaza four days ago and has called on the international community to act for a just-peace.

Churches around the globe have mobilised to assist those affected by the conflict in Gaza and to lobby their governments for a cease-fire in the packed territory where 1.5 million Palestinians live.

The World Evangelical Alliance has urged the international community to make all possible efforts to end the "complex" conflict in Gaza and southern Israel and expressed sympathy for all its victims.

A leading advocate of practical non-violence begins a two-week tour of Britain on Friday 16 January, offering case studies of achieving peace without guns in the Middle East and elsewhere.

United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-moon has renewed his appeal to Israel and Hamas to halt the fighting in Gaza immediately and show respect for civilians and the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation.

As Israel threatens to escalate its military action even further, entering the most densely populated parts of Gaza, war resisters in the region and internationally have said that violence offers no solution.

Protestors against the violence in Gaza and for an immediate ceasefire have taken place across Britain this weekend, including demonstrations in London, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Belfast, Newcastle and Southampton.

Civilians wounded in Gaza are stuck in their homes without food and water, unable to seek medical attention, says the director of an Anglican hospital in Gaza City. This includes nurses' injured children.