Life Under Attack: A view from Gaza and Israel

The death toll of the conflict now sits at more than 500 as the ground invasion in Gaza continues. We hear from regular people in Gaza and Israel about what it's like to live in a war zone with no ceasefire on the horizon.

...We didn't know where they are bombing and targeting. I can see that most of the people killed are children, and are civilians, women, and old people.Lara Abu Ramadan, resident of Gaza City, in an interview with BBC News

On Sunday, Israeli troops battled with Hamas militants in Gaza City's dense Shijaiyah neighbourhood. It was the deadliest day of fighting yet since the ground offensive began last Thursday.

Israel says it was necessary to send thousands of troops into Gaza to destroy Hamas rocket launchers and tunnels running under its border. And today, it says it killed at least 10 Palestinian militants caught crossing the border through two such tunnels.

...We're sad for every civilian casualty. They're not intended. This is the difference between us. The Hamas deliberately target civilians and deliberately hides behind civilians...Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

There was supposed to be a two-hour humanitarian ceasefire in the area yesterday afternoon, but it broke down within an hour. By day's end, Palestinian health officials said at least 65 Palestinians died in air and artillery strikes.

They say more than 500 Palestinians have now been killed, and more than 3,000 wounded since the conflict between Israel and Gaza exploded two weeks ago.

The United Nations estimates between 70 and 77 per cent of the casualties have been civilians, and around 30,000 Palestinians have been displaced from their homes.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military said 13 soldiers were killed Sunday, bringing the total number of Israeli deaths to 18 soldiers and two civilians.

We spoke with citizens in Gaza and Israel about what everyday life is like as rockets and artillery shells fly:

- Ziad Bakri is a teacher and translator. He was in Gaza.

- Naaza Swirsky is an American-Israeli. She joined us from Beit-Shemesh, west of Jerusalem.

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This segment was produced by The Current's Pacinthe Mattar, Kathryn Marlow, and intern Wanyee Li.