Story by the Associated Press; curated by Oliver Darcy.
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GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel is striking dozens of sites in Gaza as it continues a massive search for an officer it fears was captured by Hamas militants.
This undated photo shows Israeli Army 2nd. Lt. Hadar Goldin, 23 from Kfar Saba, central Israel. (AP Photo/YNet News)
Palestinians officials say at least 35 Palestinians have been killed in the early morning bombardment in and around the city of Rafah on Saturday. The area's main hospital was evacuated because of the strikes.
The Israeli military believes 2nd Lt. Hadar Goldin was grabbed in a Hamas ambush about an hour after an internationally brokered cease-fire took effect Friday. Hamas' military wing says it is not aware of any such capture.
We suspect that a group of Hamas terrorists, including a suicide attacker, kidnapped 2nd. Lt. Goldin at 9:30AM & dragged him into a tunnel.
— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) August 1, 2014
The three-day cease-fire was intended to pave the way for a more sustainable truce. More than 1,650 Palestinians and 60 Israelis have been killed since the fighting began July 8.
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