UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on Hamas to release all hostages immediately and for Israel to allow rapid and unimpeded access to humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip. Guterres warned that Gaza is running out of essential supplies such as water and electricity.
Israel pressed on Sunday with preparations for a ground offensive in Gaza, after giving Palestinians a little more time flee northern areas it has vowed to target in response to the deadliest attack in its history. The military said Gaza City residents must not delay their departure but a spokesperson said late Saturday they still had time to leave and that the ground offensive would not start on Sunday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his political rival, Benny Gantz, have formed a wartime Cabinet to oversee the fight against Hamas militants. The Israeli military appears likely to launch a ground offensive into Gaza, as the death toll on both sides continues to rise. Netanyahu has vowed to "crush and destroy" Hamas, accusing them of committing atrocities against Israelis.
Israel vowed to lay total siege to the Gaza Strip on Monday, as its military scoured the countrys south for militants, guarded breaches in its border fence and pounded the impoverished, Hamas-ruled territory in the wake of an unprecedented weekend incursion.