International outrage grew over civilian deaths in Gaza after an Israeli bombardment killed at least 34 people, many of them children, near a UN school.

Hundreds of Palestinians had sought safety at the school after fleeing from a refugee camp in the face of Israeli advances.

It was the second deadly attack near a UN school in hours, and the worst since Israel sent ground forces into Gaza last weekend.

Nearly 600 Palestinians, including dozens of civilians, have now died in the onslaught.

Ignoring international calls for a ceasefire, Israeli soldiers edged closer to Gaza’s major population centres. A total of 58 Palestinians were killed in fighting today with just two confirmed as militants.

The rising civilian death toll has drawn international condemnation and raised concerns of a looming humanitarian disaster.