ISRAEL SAYS THAT HAVE NOW FINALLY SECURED THE BORDERS TO GAZA AS AIR STRIKES CONTINUE TO BOMBARD HAMAS

 

1. Israel says it has secured its border with Gaza, three days after Hamas broke through the barrier to launch a murderous assault that has left more than 900 people dead
2. No militants have crossed in the past day but the bodies of 1,500 have been recovered after days of fighting, the Israeli army says
3. Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip have continued overnight - the air force said 200 targets were hit
4. A BBC reporter in Gaza said it was the worst bombing he had seen in 20 years, with neighbourhoods flattened
5. More than 700 people have been killed by the strikes, Palestinian authorities say
   
   
   
6. UN children's agency Unicef is calling for a humanitarian corridor in and out of Gaza, as Israel has cut supplies of fuel, electricity, and water
7. And Iran's supreme leader denies his country was involved in the attacks on Israel but praises those who carried it out

8. The basics explained

   Hamas is a Palestinian militant group which runs the Gaza Strip. It is sworn to Israel's destruction and wants to replace it with an Islamic state.

   Hamas as a whole, or in some cases its military wing, is designated a terrorist group by Israel, the United States, the European Union and the UK, as well as other powers.

   It’s backed by Iran – which provides funding, weapons and training to the group.

   The Gaza Strip is a 41km (25-mile) long and 10km-wide territory between Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea.

   It is home to about 2.3 million people and has one of the highest population densities in the world.

   Israel controls the air space over Gaza and its shoreline and restricts who and what goods are allowed in and out through its border crossings. Since Saturday's attack, it has announced a siege of Gaza, stopping electricity, fuel, and water from Israel.

   Similarly, Egypt controls who passes in and out through its border with Gaza - and, as we reported earlier, there is a waiting list to get out via that one crossing.

9. FULL ARTICLE AT: Israel Gaza live news: Israel says Gaza border finally secured as air strikes continue - BBC News