Relentless Israeli bombardment forces civilians from homes: Live

Death toll in Gaza rises to 115, as threat of a ground assault looms after Israel amasses tanks and troops near besieged

Israel continued on Friday to bombard the Gaza Strip with air raids and artillery shells as it stepped up the deployment of troops and tanks near the besieged Palestinian enclave. At least 115 Palestinians, including 32 children, have been killed and nearly 600 wounded since hostilities flared up on Monday. Hundreds of Palestinian families have taken shelter in UN-run schools in northern Gaza to escape Israeli artillery fire. Despite international calls for an immediate halt of all hostilities, including from United Nations chief Antonio Guterres, Israel Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu pledged the offensive will continue “as needed to restore calm in the state of Israel”.