UN Secretary General to visit Israel, Gaza to bolster truce efforts

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki moon is expected to visit Israel and the Gaza Strip sometime today in an effort to bolster truce efforts between the two sides.

Ban would help Israelis and Palestinians "in coordination with regional and international actors, end the violence and find a way forward," Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman was quoted by the Express Tribune, as telling during emergency talks at the Security Council.

Ban Ki Moon's visit comes even as fresh Israeli air strikes killed 11 people in Gaza on Saturday, hiking the death toll above 300.

U.S. President Barack Obama has supported Israel's right to defend itself against Gaza rocket fire, but urged it to work harder to avoid innocent deaths in an operation with a high civilian toll, including many women and children.

An early morning air strike outside a mosque in the southern city of Khan Yunis killed seven people on Saturday, including a woman.

Other raids shortly afterwards killed another four, bringing the total death toll to 307 Palestinians and two Israelis.

Some 2,250 Palestinians and several Israelis have been injured.

Meanwhile, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA has opened 34 of its schools to shelter those fleeing. The World Food Programme said it had already distributed emergency food rations and food vouchers to more than 20,000 displaced people.