US calls for release of kidnapped soldier as Gaza truce lies in tatters

The humanitarian truce in Gaza lies in tatters today amid a deadly new wave of violence, which left 91 Palestinians dead, and the capture of an Israeli soldier by Hamas.

Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of breaking the truce.

The chances of a durable truce seem as remote as ever after the probable capture of Israeli Second Lieutenant Hadar Goldin.

US President Barack Obama has called for the soldier to be "unconditionally" released, but also said more must be done to protect Gaza civilians.

He criticised both parties for the failed negotiations.

“If we can pause the fighting then it’s possible that we may be able to arrive at a formula that spares lives and also ensures Israel’s security, but it’s difficult and I don’t think we should pretend otherwise,” he said.

Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, a member of the eight-strong security cabinet, accused Hamas of being behind the disappearance of the missing soldier and said the group would pay a high price.

However early today the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' armed wing, said it had no information on the whereabouts of the missing soldier, 23-year-old Hadar Goldin.

"The Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades has no information on this soldier. We have lost contact with one of our combatant groups, which was fighting in the sector where the soldier went missing and it is possible that our fighters and this soldier were killed," the group said in a statement.

Palestinian emergency services spokesman Acjraf al-Qodra said the intensive fighting yesterday, which ensued after a planned three-day ceasefire collapsed, left a total of 91 Palestinians dead and 350 wounded.

He said 15 of those victims, including five children aged 3-12, came from the same family whose house was destroyed.

More than 1,500 Palestinians, the vast majority of them civilians, have been killed in almost four weeks of conflict.