Russia has called for the Israeli soldier to be freed but also for Israel to show restraint in its offensive in Gaza

In Moscow for talks, the Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni welcomed what she described as a “much needed signal”.

Airstrikes knocked out the Strip’s main power plant last week, depriving tens of thousands of people of electricity.

The Israeli army has been carrying out nightly missile attacks in Gaza. It has hit infrastructure including bridges and water pipes and the offices of the Hamas government.

Fighter jets have also been flying low over the territory at night, producing so-called sonic booms – waves of noise so loud they can blow out windows.

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