War

Israel has sent tanks into eastern Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip after a night of heavy bombardments that killed 19 people and wounded dozens of others.

It comes as a further indication that the military is pressing ahead with its plans for a ground attack on Rafah.

The Israeli leader says his country will "stand alone" and "fight with fingernails" if shipments are halted.

More than 80,000 people have fled the southern Gaza city of Rafah, as Israeli tanks reportedly mass close to built-up areas amid constant bombardment.

Joe Biden has confirmed the US will halt the supply of some weapons to Israel if it does invade Rafah.

Hamas battled Israeli troops on the outskirts of the Gaza Strip's crowded southern city of Rafah and Washington says it has held up a shipment of powerful bombs to Israel.

There have been bombardments every night, and no aid for two days, as Israeli forces take control of the southern Gaza city, the UN says. Audio

The United States believes the remaining differences between Israel and Hamas can be bridged in negotiations over the Palestinian militant group's latest ceasefire proposal.

It says forces have been operating since last night in a specific area of eastern Rafah, from which it says most people and some international organisations have evacuated.

An Israeli attack in Rafah could lead to a "catastrophic humanitarian situation beyond what already exists" in Gaza.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says a proposal for a new Gaza ceasefire is "far from Israel's basic requirements", but negotiations will continue.

It comes as the Israeli military continuing an operation in the southern Gaza city where displaced people have been sheltering,.

While not a formal famine declaration, World Food Programme's boss made the comments based on the "horror" on the ground.

Ukraine dismissed the report as evidence of Moscow's "desperation".

Hamas negotiators began intensified talks on a possible Gaza truce that would see a halt to the fighting and the return to Israel of some hostages.

Live television footage showed police in tactical gear filing onto the UCLA campus adjacent to a complex of tents occupied by throngs of demonstrators.

It comes amid ongoing attempts to try to reach an agreement for a ceasefire and hostage releases.

The proposal includes a 40-day truce in return for the release of hostages and the prospect of displaced families being allowed back to northern Gaza.