As government forces in Syria continue their attacks on rebel strongholds, the death-toll continues to rise, reports say at least 32 people were killed today in conflicts around the stricken country.

U.N. Monitors, trying to gain access to the embattled town of al-Haffeh were unable to gain ground as angry mobs barred their way. Rocks and metal bars pummelled their vehicles and shots werefired at them as they left.

Local Coordination Committee spokesperson Rafif Jouejati says rebels are attempting to smuggle residents of the town over the border to Turkey.

“We know there were some 30,000 residents trapped in the town of al-Haffeh and we also know members of the Free Syrian Army were trying to help residents flee the area and get transported to Turkey and that a small number of residents have been safely transported, but there are still thousands of residents trapped,” she said.

The clashes seen today are a continuation of the conflict that began in the town last week as security forces began their attempt to capture the town that they say is being used to smuggle supplies across from Turkey.

The escalation includes helicopter and tank attacks and shelling. United Nations Peacekeeping Chief Herve Ladsous says that the country is now in a full scale civil war and says that there is a massive increase of violence.

U.N. Spokesman Martin Nesirky confirms that there is “a qualitative shift and intensification” in that country.

Former U.N. official Mark Malloch-Brown also echos sentiments that the country is on the verge, if not already in a civil war.

“The difference between civil war or near civil war is at times like this so slight, that the distinction almost loses meaning,” he said. “But the fact is, hits by the [pro-government] Alawite militias on innocent civilians in Sunni villages, have now prompted tit-for-tat hits against Alawite civilians in other parts of the country. So you have got the whole escalating process of sectarian on sectarian violence which is really the essence of a civil war.”

Kofi Annan’s Peace Plan is in tatters and the plan’s “contact group” cannot even pull together to meet. Strong reservations from the United States,France, and Britain over Russia’s proposal to include Iran into the group has meetings in limbo.

The violence against children is continuing and in fact escalating as they still find themselves victims of sexual violence, killing, maiming, torture and detention. Yesterday, the U.N. accused Syrian Forces and pro government militias of using children as human shields and other very serious human rights violations.