Gaza awaits aid as Israel tells troops to ‘be ready’ for ground invasion

In a meeting with Israeli infantry soldiers on the Gaza border, Yoav Gallant urged the forces to “get organised, be ready” for an order to move in.

Palestinians look for survivors after an Israeli airstrike on Nusseirat refugee camp, Gaza Strip, on Wednesday (Ali Mohmoud/AP)

Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip with air strikes, including in the south where Palestinians were told to take refuge, and the country’s defence minister has told ground troops to “be ready” to invade, though he did not say when.

Gaza’s overwhelmed hospitals tried to stretch out ebbing medical supplies and fuel for diesel generators to keep the equipment running, as authorities worked out logistics for a delivery of aid into the area from Egypt.