Israeli strikes kill 44 Palestinians, including over a dozen children, in Rafah 

Israel has signalled a ground offensive in Rafah Picture: AP

Israeli air strikes have killed at least 44 Palestinians – including more than a dozen children – in the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

The strike came hours after Israel’s Prime Minister said he had asked the military to plan for the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people there ahead of a ground invasion.