Israel said Monday there was no temporary truce to allow aid in or foreigners out of the Gaza Strip, where desperation was mounting among millions of Palestinians trapped in the heavily bombarded enclave with little food or water.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to Israel Monday before a looming ground offensive to"destroy" the Hamas Islamist group that rules Gaza, and emphasised that"civilians should not have to suffer for Hamas's atrocities".
In Gaza, there were scenes of panic, anger and despair all around, as Palestinians heeded Israeli warnings to vacate the north before its major offensive. Any departure of Palestinians from Gaza is a sensitive issue, with Arab nations fearing that it could lead to permanent expulsion, something which Blinken has also categorically rejected.
German national Ahmed Al Qasas, who has been waiting at the border three days for a chance to cross said"people here are barely receiving water and food". The deadliest attack in Israel's 75-year history has left it deeply traumatised, but also brought a groundswell of support for a looming land, air and sea attack on Gaza involving a"significant ground operation".
The United States, which like several Western governments proscribes Hamas as a terrorist group, has also appealed to China to use its influence in the region to ease tensions.
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