Israel’s army encircles Gaza City

By Nathan Morley

The Israeli military says combat is taking place in a dense, built up area that it says is the centre of the group’s infrastructure, which it claims it is in the process of destroying.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on social media, "We have very impressive successes, we are already more than the outskirts of Gaza City. We are making progress ... We will move forward."

Israel has announced the deaths of four more soldiers fighting in the ground offensive, bringing the reported toll to 23.

Elsewhere, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says more than 9,000 people have been killed in enclave since 7 October.

Meanwhile, President Biden says more than 70 American passport holders were among the dozens of foreign nationals able to leave Gaza through the Rafah crossing on Thursday.

Medical workers say 20,000 remained trapped in Gaza, whist aid deliveries into the territory appear to be ramping up.

Israel began its operation after Hamas killed more than 1,400 people in Israel and kidnapped more than 200 others.

Elsewhere, Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib has called for a prompt ceasefire in southern Lebanon and a long-term solution in the Gaza Strip.