Israel opened a direct crossing for aid into Gaza

Israeli authorities said they were determined to fight to eliminate Hamas...

On Sunday Israel opened a direct crossing for aid into Gaza for the first time in its more than two-month-old war on Hamas but also stepped up attacks on the Palestinian enclave, saying military pressure was the only way its hostages would be freed.

The Israeli army took place amid fierce fighting the length of the coastal strip, according to residents and militants, with communications down for a fourth day, making it hard to reach the wounded.

In Egypt the security sources said on Sunday Israel and Hamas were both open to a renewed ceasefire and hostage release, though disagreements remained on how it would be implemented.

We are open to any efforts aimed at ending the Israeli aggression. This is the ground for any discussion," Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said when asked for comment on the Egyptian statement.

In a further positive sign, the Kerem Shalom crossing between Israel and Gaza opened for aid trucks on Sunday for the first time since the outbreak of war, officials said, in a move to double the amount of food and medicine reaching Gazans.

But Israeli authorities said they were determined to fight on to eliminate Hamas, which has run Gaza since 2006 and is sworn to Israel's destruction.

"It is important for me to make clear, the IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) is determined to complete the task of dismantling Hamas," Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari told reporters in Tel Aviv.

A day earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to signal an openness to negotiations, but vowed to maintain intense military pressure.