There have been clashes between Palestinian youths and Israeli military late into Monday night in the West Bank town of Bethlehem.

Protesters threw stones and fireworks in anger at the continued Israeli offensive against Hamas militants in Gaza.

Local health officials say 180 Palestinians many of them civilians have been killed and over 1400 wounded in the week-long conflict. A handful of Israelis have also been injured.

As Hamas kept up its rocket attacks there was the first reported use of a drone by Palestinian militants – it was shot down by Israeli military.

And the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has called for restraint after two rockets were launched from the south of the country at Israeli territories. No one has claimed responsibility.

The flare up in violence has been prompted by the murder of three Israeli teenagers and the revenge killing of a Palestinian teenager.

Israeli officials said on Monday that three people arrested over the Palestinian’s death have confessed to to burning him alive.