Gaza militants pummelled Israel with dozens of rockets and mortars and Israeli airstrikes killed two Palestinians in a sharp escalation of violence following a landmark visit to the coastal territory by the leader of Qatar.

Israel rained bombs and leaflets on Gaza, pounding suspected rocket sites and tunnels used by Hamas militants and warning of a wider offensive despite frantic diplomacy to end the bloodshed.

Israeli forces killed 32 Palestinians today, including two children and a general - the deadliest day in 17 months of fighting.