UN says Israel wants 1.1m Gazans to move south
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More news: The United Nations says it has been told by the Israeli military that some 1.1 million Palestinians in Gaza should be relocated to the enclave's south within 24 hours, Reuters reports, as Israel prepares for a ground invasion.
What they said: "The United Nations considers it impossible for such a movement to take place without devastating humanitarian consequences," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
"The United Nations strongly appeals for any such order, if confirmed, to be rescinded avoiding what could transform what is already a tragedy into a calamitous situation," he said.
Israel links Gaza aid to hostages’ release
The news: Israel has said there will be no halt to the siege of Gaza as it massed tanks on the Palestinian enclave’s border ahead of an anticipated ground invasion.
The numbers: Public broadcaster Kan said the Israeli death toll from Hamas' weekend attack had risen to more than 1,300. Gaza authorities said more than 1,400 Palestinians have been killed and more than 6,000 have been wounded as Israel has responded by putting Gaza under total siege and launching the most powerful bombing campaign in the 75-year-old history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The context: Israel, which has formed an emergency unity government, has vowed to annihilate the Hamas movement that rules the Gaza Strip in retribution for the deadliest attack on civilians in Israeli history. Amid international calls for a ceasefire to allow in aid into Gaza, Israeli Energy Minister Israel Katz said there would be no halt to the siege without freedom for Israeli hostages. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has urged Israel to show restraint but reiterated America's support. The International Committee of the Red Cross said fuel powering emergency generators at hospitals in Gaza could run out within hours and the United Nations World Food Programme warned food and fresh water were running dangerously low.
The source: Reuters
