Israeli forces on Thursday launched their most furious assault on the Gaza Strip yet, killing a top Hamas leader and shelling a key United Nations compound, amid intensifying diplomatic efforts to end the 20-day conflict.

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By Tobias Buck and Andrew England in Jerusalem and Heba Saleh in Cairo
Published: January 15 2009 19:14 | Last updated: January 15 2009 23:23
Israeli forces on Thursday launched their most furious assault on the Gaza Strip yet, killing a top Hamas leader and shelling a key United Nations compound, amid intensifying diplomatic efforts to end the 20-day conflict.
