The Observer's 20 photographs of the week

The parents of an 11-month-old child killed in an Israeli strike hold his body at his funeral in Gaza City Photograph: Adel Hana/AP

In Rome, demonstrators hold up shields bearing titles of classic books, on a day of mobilisation against austerity measures by workers in southern Europe Photograph: Filippo Monteforte/AFP

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man is seen through a damaged car window after a rocket fired from Gaza landed in the southern Israeli city of Ashdod Photograph: Amir Cohen/Reuters

Debris on a car that had been submerged by flooding caused by superstorm Sandy Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters

Dignitaries look at the names of servicemen and women killed in conflicts since 1914, at an Armistice Day service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire Photograph: Christopher Thomond

A murmuration of starlings over the town of Gretna. The birds visit the area twice a year, in February and November Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA

Telefonica workers take part in a demonstration against unjustified dismissals at the phone company, before a general strike in Barcelona Photograph: Emilio Morenatti/AP

Voters arrive to make their choice in the police and crime commissioners election, at a mobile polling station in Oakenshaw, County Durham Photograph: Christopher Thomond

In Aleppo, rebels of the Halab al-Shabah battalion take position during clashes with Syrian regime forces Photograph: Javier Manzano/AFP

In Shanghai, construction workers install scaffolding on the top of a building at sunset. China announced that it was likely to meet its growth target for the year, more good news for Communist party policymakers meeting in Beijing Photograph: Aly Song/Reuters

A Palestinian man calls for help as he and others try to save someone trapped under a car in Beit Lahia after an Israeli air raid Photograph: Marco Longari/AFP

Monks from the Drukpa Tibetan Buddhist lineage wait to perform a bone dance ritual during the annual festival of sacred dances in Ladakh, India. The sacred dances are a purification ritual that Tibetan Buddhists believe will rid the world of negative obstacles Photograph: Kevin Frayer/AP

A scientist delegate yawns during the closing session of the 18th national congress of the Communist party of China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Photograph: Feng Li/Getty

In Kaldar, relatives wait beside the hospital bed of a five-year-old Afghan girl who was allegedly abused. Police later detained a neighbour. There is little sign that violence against women in Afghanistan is decreasing, despite the billions of dollars of international aid poured into the country during the decade-long war Photograph: Qais Usyan/AFP

Syrians carry their rubbish to a mountain of garbage in Aleppo Photograph: Monica G Prieto/AP

Roger Federer serves to Novak Djokovic during the final of the ATP World Tour Finals in London Photograph: Kerim Okten/EPA

A section of the peace wall that divides Catholic and Protestant communities wraps around houses in Cluan Place, Belfast. The first barriers were built in 1969 as temporary structures meant to last six months; they now stretch over 13 miles Photograph: Cathal Mcnaughton/Reuters

A miner pours hot chilli sauce into his food before going to work in Agujita, Mexico. Recent press reports suggest drugs cartels are involved in coal-related activities Photograph: Yuri Cortez/AFP

A boy climbs a rock fence in Kabul, Afghanistan Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/Getty

A gentleman watches the action through binoculars at Cheltenham racecourse Photograph: Alan Crowhurst/Getty