DHAKA: Efforts to secure a ceasefire between Israel and the militant Hamas movement are intensifying as the death toll in 18-day-old conflict continues to climb.

Gaza faced more Israeli shelling and air strikes overnight, while Israeli towns raised the alarm over Hamas rockets on Friday morning.

Israel’s security cabinet is due to discuss a seven-day truce plan backed by US Secretary of State John Kerry, reports the BBC.

More than 800 Palestinians have now been killed, as well as 34 Israelis.

Most of the Palestinian deaths have been civilians, while 32 of Israel's dead have been soldiers. One Thai national has also died in Israel.

In the latest incident to inflame tensions on either side, at least 15 people died at a UN-run school shelter on Thursday.

The deaths prompted outrage from Palestinians and from the UN, with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon calling it ‘totally unacceptable’.

Funerals for at least 10 of those killed were held early on Friday.

Graphic images from Gaza showed mourners weeping as the body of a one-year-old boy was carried through the streets and lowered into a grave.

Palestinians blamed Israel, which insisted it did not target the shelter, saying Hamas militants were firing from the area.

Israel launched its military offensive on 8 July with the declared objective of stopping Hamas firing rockets into Israel.

It has since discovered a network of tunnels used by militants to infiltrate Israeli territory, and has vowed to destroy them to restore security.

BDST: 1620 HRS, JULY 25, 2014