Israel’s military says it hit hundreds of sites in Gaza over the past 24 hours, targeting “Hamas infrastructure”.
As its air campaign shows no sign of ending, it says anti-tank missile launch sites, tunnels, and headquarters were destroyed.
Gaza remains under siege, with Israel blocking cross-border supplies of water, electricity, and fuel.
But the US and Egypt say lorries providing aid should start crossing from Egypt into Gaza on Friday
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has arrived in Israel, a day after Joe Biden visited.
Biden’s trip was overshadowed by a blast at a Gaza hospital, which local officials say killed 471 people.
Local authorities say an Israeli air strike was to blame – but Israel insists the blast was caused by a misfired rocket from Gaza.
Al Ahli hospital ‘attack’ should be watershed – Sunak
After his visit was announced last night, Rishi Sunak said: “Every civilian death is a tragedy.
“And too many lives have been lost following Hamas’s horrific act of terror.
“The attack on Al Ahli hospital should be a watershed moment for leaders in the region and across the world to come together to avoid further dangerous escalation of conflict.
“I will ensure the UK is at the forefront of this effort.”
As a reminder, local authorities blame the blast at the Gaza hospital on an Israeli air strike. Israel says it was caused by a rocket, misfired by militants.
The British Prime Minister is almost in Israel, on a two-day trip to the region during which he is also expected to visit other countries.
Downing Street says Rishi Sunak “will express his condolences for the terrible loss of life in Israel and Gaza as a result of Hamas’s brutal terrorist attacks”.
The prime minister will also press for the route for humanitarian aid to enter Gaza to open “as soon as possible” and for British nationals trapped there to be able to leave.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly is visiting Egypt, Turkey and Qatar over the next few days.
Officials also point out Defence Secretary Grant Shapps met his US counterpart Lloyd Austin in Washington on Wednesday “to coordinate” their approach.
BBC