Israel’s military says infantry backed by tanks have carried out “localised raids” in Gaza.

It comes ahead of an expected ground operation, with Israel warning more than a million people in the north of Gaza to evacuate to the south.

The small raids were carried out to attack Hamas rocket crews and seek information on the location of hostages taken last Saturday, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said.

Israeli forces have been conducting days of retaliatory airstrikes on Gaza targeting Hamas since the ruling Palestinian militant group stormed the border with Israel at the weekend, killing hundreds of people in their homes – as well as 260 others at a music festival.

Israel said a total of 1,300 of its people have died since Saturday’s raid as its troops continue to mass along the barbed wire fence ahead of a possible ground offensive on Gaza, with 300,000 reservists called up.

Around 150 hostages are thought to be held in the narrow coastal enclave by Hamas which has been attacking Israel with rockets.

Meanwhile, at least 500 children and 276 women are among the estimated 1,799 Palestinians who have died in Israeli strikes with more than 6,300 wounded, the Gaza health ministry has said.

Israel-Gaza latest: Israel announces ‘localised raids’ in Gaza – in first hint at shift to ground assaults; Gazans told ‘go south if you want to live’

Ukraine war latest: Fears war could spill into NATO territory – as Russia conducts ‘major offensive’ in Ukrainian city

This is a dangerous moment in Israel-Hamas war – and the rest of the world is holding its breath

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