Gaza Death Toll Passes 300

UN warns of humanitarian crisis.

The death toll in the conflict in Gaza has risen to more than 300, as UN agencies warn of a worsening humanitarian crisis with more than 40,000 Palestinians displaced by Israel's ground offensive.

The warning came as UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced plans to travel to Israel and the Palestinian territories in a bid to broker a ceasefire.

Israel launched its ground offensive and intensive barrages from air and sea on Thursday (local time) after 10 days of fighting.

Gaza officials said at least 318 Palestinians, including 70 children, have died in the offensive Israel launched on July 8 following a surge of rocket salvoes that came as it rounded up Hamas men in the occupied West Bank.