Israel pounds Gaza, killing 50; Canada, France, UK threaten sanctions

Israeli forces bombard Gaza, killing 50 people since midnight, after the military orders Palestinians in the southern city of Khan Younis to flee ahead of an “unprecedented attack”.

The leaders of Canada, France and the UK threaten to take “concrete action” against Israel if it does not end its renewed offensive in Gaza, while 22 countries urge Israel to let aid into the besieged enclave.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismisses the calls and pledges to press on with the offensive, which includes plans for Israel to take control of the whole of Gaza.

Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 53,475 Palestinians and wounded 121,398, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The Government Media Office updated the death toll to more than 61,700, saying thousands of people missing under the rubble are presumed dead.

An estimated 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, and more than 200 were taken captive