An Israeli military spokesman said that Israeli soldiers had surrounded Gaza’s largest city. White House officials said they would urge Israel to “pause” its bombardment on humanitarian grounds.
Israel said it killed a Hamas leader at a refugee camp, but many other people were wounded and killed, Hamas said. The assault came as fuel, food and water.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel did not describe the ground incursion as an invasion, but it was accompanied by an enormous aerial and artillery bombardment.