Israel expands Gaza ground assault as fears rise over airstrikes near hospitals

Relief workers said on Monday the assistance falls far short of needs in Gaza, which has been under siege for weeks.

Palestinians inspect the rubble of a house after it was hit by an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Sunday (Fatima Shbair/AP)

Israeli troops and armour have pushed deeper into the northern Gaza Strip, reaching built-up areas, as the UN and medics said airstrikes are hitting closer to hospitals, where tens of thousands of Palestinians have sought shelter alongside thousands of wounded.

The increasing ground operations come a day after 33 lorries carrying food, medicine and other supplies entered Gaza from Egypt – the largest convoy of humanitarian aid since the war between Israel and Hamas began.