The Israeli prime minister has ordered the military to develop a plan to both evacuate civilians from Rafah and fight Hamas, as Palestine’s UN envoy questions where civilians will be evacuated amid the planned attack.
UN chief Antonio Guterres says half of Gaza’s 2.3 million population “is now crammed into Rafah with nowhere to go”, warning the displaced “have no homes” and “no hope”.
Israeli snipers in Khan Younis kill at least 21 people outside Nasser Hospital with medical staff among those targeted. Within 24 hours, 107 Palestinians have been killed and 142 injured in Gaza.
US President Joe Biden calls Israel’s attack on Gaza “over the top” and says he continues to work “tirelessly” for an extended “pause in fighting”. At least 27,947 people have been killed and 67,459 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7.
The death toll in Israel from the October 7 Hamas attacks stands at 1,139.
