Three Israelis have been killed after rocket fire from Gaza hit a building in the south of the country, as violence in the region escalates.

Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said that the men were killed after a rocket struck an apartment building in the town of Kiryat Malahi.

The deaths of the three men in Israel come after militants in the country killed Hamas' top military commander, Ahmed al-Jaabari, in an air strike yesterday.

At least eleven Palestinians, including two young children, have been killed so far in Israel's airstrikes, codenamed Operation Pillar of Defence. In response, more than 50 airstrikes hit Israel overnight.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he is prepared to expand the operation, with the military saying that it was ready, if necessary, to send ground troops in to Gaza.

Both US President Barack Obama and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon have telephoned Mr Netanyahu, urging restraint over the worsening situation.

Written and presented by Alfred Joyner