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One of the first serious hits by a Hamas rocket has left a gas station burning — and one Israeli badly injured — as Israel ramps up talk of a Gaza ground invasion. But that carries a lot of downsides.

The escalating conflict around the Gaza Strip has turned daily routines upside down. A family in Ashkelon, Israel, and one in Gaza City both take shelter — and struggle to keep their children safe.

A barrage of rockets was fired from the Gaza Strip toward Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and other parts of the country. There were no injuries. Earlier, Israel conducted airstrikes and called up reservists.

Israeli military officials announced Sunday that they have discovered an underground tunnel that leads from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip into Israel. They say the tunnel could have been used for an attack against Israelis.

The Egyptian military operation to destroy most of the tunnels used to smuggle goods into neighboring Gaza has led to a shortage of cheap fuel and building materials. It also has led to more sewage flowing into the sea. Change is afoot, however, for the first time in six years.

Exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal is expected to visit the territory, crossing over from the Egyptian border. His visit comes amid speculation that Hamas, which rules Gaza, will seal a reconciliation deal with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.

Eight days of Israeli missile strikes on Gaza killed a lot of children — and terrified many more. Yet in this war zone, the task of healing psychological wounds is handled a little differently. The children of Small Hands Kindergarten are barely more than toddlers. Led by their teachers to a public square, they wave toy guns at imaginary Israeli jets overhead and stomp on a poster bearing the Star of David. Yet this kindergarten isn't run by Hamas — it's run by supporters of Fatah. These young children are part of a chorus of voices calling for an end to the two rival factions who rule Gaza and the West Bank respectively.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with the Egyptian president today. It's just one indication of the Egyptian government's influence in the eight-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Guest host Celeste Headlee speaks with NPR's Cairo Bureau Chief Leila Fadel and Michael Wahid Hannah of the Century Foundation.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrives in the region Tuesday. And in Cairo, Egypt's new Islamic leadership is now serving as a mediator between the Israelis and Gaza's Hamas-led government.

As diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas intensify, analysts say Hamas appears to be in a stronger position than ever before. Diplomatically, it has received enthusiastic support from Egypt and other Arab neighbors. And, the conflict has helped to strengthen Hamas domestic political position.

Overnight air raids on Gaza pushed the Palestinian death toll to more than 80, with more than 700 wounded. The numbers on the Israeli side are dramatically lower — with three dead. And the Israeli prime minister says Israel is prepared to escalate the fight with ground troops. As the fighting drags into a new week, the United Nations and the Arab League are stepping up efforts to mediate.

As violence intensifies between Israelis and Palestinians, politics is playing a big role in how governments in the region are reacting. Israel has an election coming up, while Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood is navigating new territory and Syria is hoping for a distraction. Host Scott Simon talks with Rob Malley of the International Crisis Group.