Fuel in Gaza close to running out, UN warns

By Nathan Morley

The Israeli army said it carried out a significant incursion into Gaza overnight to attack Hamas positions. It said the raid was part of preparations for the next stages of combat.

The Israeli Defence Force said the raid, which lasted several hours, "eliminated terrorists" - with no Israeli injuries. Israel has not launched its expected ground invasion of Gaza - but says the raid was "preparation for the next stages of combat".

Meanwhile, a senior United Nations aid official has said nowhere is safe in Gaza. The UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Gaza, Lynn Hastings, said people have been left with nothing but ‘impossible choices’.

Her comments come as UN aid workers begin to scale down their operations in Gaza due to a chronic lack of fuel. However, Israel disputes the degree of the fuel crisis - and has suggested Hamas is stockpiling essential reserves.

On Thursday, the Hamas-controlled health ministry said 7,000 people have been killed since Israeli air strikes on Gaza began - an increase of 500 since midweek. More than 1,400 were killed in the initial attacks on Israel by Hamas, and more than 220 people – including women and children - are still being held hostage in Gaza.