2014年CRI 加沙公园遭袭8名儿童丧生 习近平同老挝国家主席举行会谈（在线收听）

Despite international mediation efforts, the casualty figures from the Israeli incursion into Gaza are continuing to rise.

Another 8 Palestinian children and two adults have been killed in an explosion in a public garden in northern Gaza amid the end of Ramadan.

Locals are blaming the explosion on an Israeli air strike.

But Israel has denied responsibility, saying it was a misfire by a rocket launched by Hamas militants.

Israel has also confirmed five of its soldiers have been killed on Monday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists they can't quit until they deal with the threat from Hamas.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Lao counterpart Choummaly Saygnasone have met here in Beijing and witnessed the signing of a series of cooperative deals between the two governments.

As part of their discussion, the Chinese president says China and Lao should boost cooperation on agriculture, energy, hydroelectricity and infrastructure.

He is also calling for closer cooperation on law enforcement, management of border areas, terrorism and transnational crime as well as cultural and education exchanges.

Choummaly said Laos looks forward to more Chinese assistance in his country' push to develop its railways, agriculture and internet.