At least five children have been killed in air strikes in Gaza, Palestinian medics have said, as Israel continues its ground offensive in spite of calls for a ceasefire.

More than 100 tanks have been deployed, effectively cutting the territory in half, amid warnings that people in the region are facing grave shortages of food and water.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy is due in Israel later today for talks aimed at ending the crisis.

And he will travel on to the West Bank for talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

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Sky's foreign affairs editor Tim Marshall, in Jerusalem, described Mr Sarkozy as a "key player" in the situation.

Speaking about the diplomatic process he added: "People are back at their offices after Christmas, people are now working and I think the wheels will turn much more quickly now."

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