Israel bombards Gaza as war spreads to other fronts

Israel bombarded Gaza with more air strikes on Monday ahead of an anticipated ground operation into the besieged Palestinian enclave as the United Nations warned that civilians were running out of places to seek shelter.

In signs that the conflict was spreading, Israeli aircraft also struck southern Lebanon overnight and Israeli troops clashed with Palestinians in occupied West Bank, residents said.

More aid crossed the border into Gaza on Sunday but the UN humanitarian agency said it was just a fraction of the amount needed to help a desperate population short of food, water, medicine and fuel.

Health authorities in Gaza said at least 4,600 people have died in Israel's two-week bombardment after an assault on Oct. 7 by Palestinian group Hamas on southern Israeli communities in which 1,400 people were killed and 212 taken as hostages.

The Israeli military said on Monday morning that in the past 24 hours it had struck more than 320 targets in Gaza, including a tunnel housing Hamas fighters, and dozens of command and lookout posts.

It said in a statement that it destroyed sites "liable to endanger the troops who are preparing on the Gaza periphery for a ground manoeuvre" as well as dozens of mortar and anti-tank missile launcher positions.

Palestinians transport the body of a victim from the rubble after Israeli strikes in Rafah, Gaza Strip, on Monday. AFP

Palestinian media reported that the Israeli attacks concentrated on the Gaza Strip's centre and north.

A strike on a house near the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza killed several Palestinians and wounded others, according to media reports.

Spreading violence

Early on Monday, Israeli aircraft struck two Hezbollah cells in Lebanon that were planning to launch anti-tank missiles and rockets toward Israel, its military said. Israel's military also said it struck other Hezbollah targets, including a compound and an observation post.

Hezbollah said on Monday one of its fighters was killed, without providing details. Israel's military said seven soldiers have been killed on the Lebanese border since the latest conflict began.

Red Crescent workers sort aid before being distributed to Palestinians in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip, on Monday. Reuters

In the West Bank, two Palestinians were killed at the Jalazone refugee camp near Ramallah, the Palestinian health ministry said on Monday.

Residents told Reuters that Israeli forces raided the camp and made many arrests as they clashed with gunmen and some youths who threw stones. The Israeli army has not issued a statement about the incident.

Reuters

Reuters