Israel intensifies strikes

ISRAEL yesterday declared Gaza's largest city a dangerous combat zone and said it was in the “initial stages” of a planned offensive that has drawn international condemnation.

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Israel's military said it suspended midday pauses to fighting, which had allowed food and aid supplies to enter from 10am to 8pm, while also reporting it had recovered the bodies of two hostages and vowed its military offensive would return more.

The shift comes weeks after Israel first announced plans to widen its offensive in Gaza City, where hundreds of thousands of displaced people are sheltering and enduring famine.