Israeli tanks have taken over the Rafah border crossing after advancing during the night as Israeli warplanes pounded residential homes killing at least 12 people.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh says the group has accepted a Gaza ceasefire proposal put forward by Qatari and Egyptian mediators.

Israel has announced the start of its military operation against Rafah, despite warnings from the UN, US, the EU and international humanitarian organisations that an attack on Rafah would be catastrophic for the estimated 1.4 million people sheltering there.