Thousands of Palestinians are fleeing Gaza City after the Israeli military launched the next stage of its ground offensive, despite widespread international condemnation.
Brigadier General Effie Defrin said that IDF troops had begun circling the outskirts of Gaza City as part of the first stages of its new assault.
Israeli forces have escalated shelling on Sabra and Tuffah neighbourhoods, as hundreds of Palestinians fled Zeitoun and Sabra.
Following a clash with Hamas south of Khan Younis in the strip on Wednesday, the IDF spokesman said: âWe will deepen the attack on Hamas in Gaza City, a stronghold of governmental and military terror for the terrorist organization.â
Hamas, in a statement on Telegram, accused Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu of obstructing the ceasefire deal in favour of continuing a âbrutal war against innocent civilians in Gaza City.â
It comes as Israel said it would call up to 60,000 reservists for the new offensive and other heavily populated areas of the war-torn Gaza Strip.
More than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed since 7 October 2023, according to the enclaveâs Hamas-run health ministry.
UK joins calls for Israel to allow foreign journalists into Gaza
The UK has called on Israel to allow foreign journalists to enter Gaza as Tel Aviv ramps up its offensive.
In a statement alongside 25 other members of the Media Freedom Coalition, the UK urged Israel to âallow immediate independent foreign media access and afford protection for journalists operating in Gazaâ.
Foreign media have been banned from entering Gaza since October 2023, other than for brief, tightly controlled trips escorted by the Israeli military. Many Palestinian journalists in the region have been killed.
The coalition said: âJournalists and media workers play an essential role in putting the spotlight on the devastating reality of war. Access to conflict zones is vital to carrying out this role effectively.
âWe oppose all attempts to restrict press freedom and block entry to journalists during conflicts.
âWe also strongly condemn all violence directed against journalists and media workers, especially the extremely high number of fatalities, arrests and detentions.â
Photos: Palestinians queue to receive food aid in Khan Younis
Turkish ports require ships to declare they have no links to Israel: shipping sources
Turkish ports are informally requiring shipping agents to provide letters confirming vessels have no ties to Israel and are not carrying military or hazardous cargo bound for the country, two shipping sources were cited as saying by Reuters.
The instruction applies nationwide, though no official circular has been issued.
Photos: Displaced Palestinians fleeing northern Gaza, heading South following Gaza City operation
Watch: Aftermath of Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah
Photos: Palestinians wait to receive food from a charity kitchen, in Khan Younis
Famine in Gaza is ‘deliberate’: UNRWA chief
Earlier, we brought you news that the head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency warned that malnourished children in Gaza could die without immediate emergency aid during Israelâs Gaza City operation.
Philippe Lazzarini has added: âIt is a manufactured and fabricated famine. It is deliberate. Food has been used as an instrument of war.â
In May, a global hunger monitor said that half a million people in the Gaza Strip faced starvation but stopped short of using the term famine.
It is a manufactured and fabricated famine. It is deliberate. Food has been used as an instrument of war.
Only 250 of expected 1,800 aid trucks entered Gaza over past 3 days: local officials
Just 250 of an expected 1,800 aid trucks entered Gaza over the past three days, Gazaâs government media office said on Telegram.
It added that âvital food itemsâ are still being blocked, including eggs, nutritional supplements, meat, dairy products, fruit and vegetables.
Malnourished children may die amid Gaza City operation: UNRWA chief
The head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency warned that malnourished children in Gaza could die without immediate emergency aid during Israelâs Gaza City operation.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini has said that data shows a six-fold increase in the number of children suffering from malnutrition in Gaza City since March.
âWe have a population that is extremely weak that will be confronted with a new major military operation,â he told a Geneva press club meeting.
âMany will simply not have the strength to undergo a new displacement.”
âIf there is no crisis plan, then they (the children suffering from malnutrition) will certainly be condemned.â
Two Palestinians die of starvation in last 24 hours: local officials
Gazaâs Hamas-run health ministry has said two Palestinians starved to death over the past 24 hours.
âThis brings the total number of victims of starvation and malnutrition to 271, including 112 children,â it said in a post on Telegram.
It comes as Gazaâs government media office said just 250 of an expected 1,800 aid trucks entered Gaza over the past three days.
