ISRAEL SAYS THERE IS NO TRUCE IN SOUTH GAZA AS THOUSANDS WAIT AT BORDER CROSSING

 

1. Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu has denied reports of a ceasefire to allow "foreigners out" of south Gaza and "humanitarian aid in"
2. US media had reported that Egypt could reopen the Rafah crossing for several hours from 09:00 local time (06:00 GMT) - but it is currently closed
3. Thousands of people are gathering in the hope of leaving Gaza ahead of an expected Israeli ground offensive
   
   
   
4. US nationals in Gaza had previously been told to move closer to the crossing, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said it "will be open" for aid without giving timings
5. Meanwhile, the Israeli military says it is evacuating 28 communities within 2km (1.24 miles) of the Lebanese border
6. US President Joe Biden has called on Israel to exercise caution, as its military prepares for a ground offensive in Gaza
7. More than 1,400 people in Israel were killed in Hamas attacks just over a week ago; Nearly 2,700 people in Gaza have been killed in Israel's retaliatory bombardment.
8. Around a million Palestinians are now believed to have fled southwards from northern Gaza - ahead of what is expected to be a major ground offensive by Israel
9. Israel military says 199 people have been taken hostage by Hamas - an increase of 44 from the figure given yesterday
10. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas have denied reports earlier that a truce was in place in order to allow aid to get in through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt
11. The Rafah crossing remains closed despite crowds of people gathering at the gates and growing calls for food, medical supplies and fuel to be allowed into Gaza
12. America's top diplomat Antony Blinken has arrived in Tel Aviv for meetings after several days of diplomacy, travelling between Arab nations.

13. The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, has landed in Israel again just four days after his previous visit.

    It's expected he'll meet with leaders in Jerusalem to continue discussions over the war in Gaza.

    Blinken first went to Tel Aviv on Thursday to show America's support for Israel, then travelled to six Arab states to continue diplomatic discussions.

    There's also speculation that President Biden will visit Israel in the coming days after receiving an invitation from the country.

14. FULL ARTICLE AT: Israel Gaza live news: Israel says no truce in south Gaza as thousands wait at border crossing - BBC News