Will control Gaza, letting in aid: Bibi

Aid trucks, called a drop in the ocean by the UN Secretary General, crossed into Gaza after Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday Israel would control the whole of Gaza despite mounting international pressure that forced it to lift a blockade on aid supplies which has left the enclave on the brink of famine.

The Israeli military, which announced the start of a new operation on Friday, warned residents of the southern city of Khan Younis on Monday to evacuate to the coast immediately as it prepared “an unprecedented attack”.

Even as the military warned of the attack, international media reporters saw aid trucks heading towards northern Gaza after Netanyahu was forced to agree to allow a limited amount of aid into Gaza in response to global concern at the reports of famine.

Overnight, Israeli air strikes killed at least 20 Palestinians, according to local medics, as the military said it hit 160 targets across Gaza over the past 24 hours, including anti-tank positions and underground infra.

Ahmed Sarhan, a commander of the Popular Resistance Committees, a militant group allied with Hamas, was killed in the raid by forces that entered the heart of the city of Khan Younis disguised as displaced persons, according to the medics.

UK, France threaten Israel with sanctions

The leaders of Britain, France and Canada warned on Monday that their countries would take action if Israel did not stop a renewed military offensive in Gaza and lift aid restrictions. “Denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable,” a joint statement said. “We oppose any attempt to expand settlements in the West Bank ... We will not hesitate to take further action, including targeted sanctions,” it added.