In Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip, an Israeli military offensive aimed at stopping rocket attacks continued for a third day. Warning: subsequent images may cause distress.
As Israeli troops surrounded a mosque in Beit Hanoun to force out gunmen, scores of women answered a Hamas call to form a human shield.
At least two women were killed when Israeli troops opened fire on the crowds.
Members of the armed wing of Hamas gave reporters their version of what happened at the mosque.
Hundreds of Palestinian women marched in Gaza City to protest against the Israeli military offensive.
About 20 Palestinians - mainly gunmen, but including one child - have died in clashes with Israeli troops since Wednesday.
The Israeli offensive has not prevented Palestinian militants from firing rockets into Israel.
One Israeli soldier has died in the three-day operation. Kiril Golenstein was buried at the Mt Herzl cemetery in Jerusalem on Tuesday.
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