Israel launches Gaza capture offensive with dozens killed

At least 81 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by Israeli attacks and forced starvation since dawn as the Israeli military said it had begun the first stages of its planned assault to seize the enclave’s largest urban center, Gaza City, Al Jazeera writes.
Three other Palestinians starved to death in the besieged enclave on Wednesday, bringing the total count of hunger-related deaths to 269, including 112 children.

According to officials in the city, Palestinians are fleeing parts of Gaza City after the Israeli military began the first stages of a planned ground offensive, the BBC writes.

Israel’s troops have established a foothold on the outskirts of the city – which is home to more than a million Palestinians – after days of intense bombing and artillery fire.

It has prompted UN Secretary General António Guterres to renew calls for an immediate ceasefire “to avoid the death and destruction.”

Israel wants to signal that it is pressing ahead with its plan to capture all of Gaza City despite international criticism.