Israel reopens vital Gaza crossing point

By Nathan Morley

Israel says its has reopened one of the main crossing points into Gaza just days after a Hamas rocket attack.

A government statement said Karem Shalom would be used for the entry of humanitarian aid.

Meanwhile, the Israeli bombardment of southern Gaza continued overnight, following Israel’s seizure of the vital Rafah crossing with Egypt.

Palestinian medical staff say seven members of a family were killed in an airstrike.

The upsurge in violence comes as delegations from Israel and Hamas are due to resume ceasefire negotiations in Cairo.

In New York, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for Israel and Hamas to demonstrate "political courage" and work towards securing a ceasefire.

Israel commenced a large-scale offensive against Hamas in Gaza to hit back against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border in October last year, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken captive.