GAZA IS BEING PUSHED INTO AN ABYSS, SAYS THE UN, AS ISRAEL PREPARES TO START THEIR GROUND INVASION

 

1. The Israeli military will attack by land, air and sea, it says in a statement ahead of an expected ground offensive - but gives no timings or specifics
2. Israel has warned 1.1m Palestinians living in north Gaza to evacuate south, and thousands have been fleeing by vehicle or on foot
3. The UN's aid agency told the BBC that Gaza is "being pushed into an abyss"
4. The US has sent a second aircraft carrier to the region to "deter hostile actions against Israel". Meanwhile, Iran has warned of "far-reaching consequences" if Israel continues attacking
5. And tension is rising on Israel's northern border with Lebanon, too. Three Hamas militants were killed after infiltrating Israel across that border
6. More than 1,300 people were killed in Israel last weekend when Hamas fighters crossed the border to attack civilians and soldiers
7. More than 2,300 people have been killed in Israel's bombing campaign of the Gaza Strip launched in the aftermath, Palestinian authorities say.The latest developments this morning. 
   

   
   

   It has just passed midday in Israel and Gaza. Here's an abridged recap of the latest headlines:
   • Israeli troops are gathering near Gaza ahead of an anticipated ground offensive
   • An evacuation window for the safe passage of civilians in the north of Gaza to the south will stay open for another 35 minutes before closing at 13:00 local time (10:00 GMT)
   • Meanwhile, the UK Foreign Office is telling British nationals in Gaza to prepare in case the Rafah border crossing into Egypt is opened. An aid convoy has been waiting for hours to enter Gaza at the crossing
   • In other news, an Israeli civilian has been killed and two others wounded in northern Israel by a missile shot from Lebanon, Israeli emergency services say
   • As tension at the Israel-Lebanon border rises, Hamas says three of its fighters infiltrated Israel through the border, and were later killed
   • More than 1,300 people have been killed in Israel since last weekend, while the number of Israeli hostages being held in Gaza is 126
   • More than 2,300 people have been killed in Israel's bombing campaign of the Gaza Strip launched in the aftermath, Palestinian authorities say.
   • FULL ARTICLE AT: Israel Gaza live news: Gaza being 'pushed into abyss', UN says, as Israel prepares ground offensive - BBC News