The 24-hour death toll was the worst in a week as Israel prepares for a major offensive. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Israel’s military yesterday pounded Gaza City prior to a planned takeover, with another 123 people killed in the past day, the Gaza health ministry said, while militant group Hamas held further talks with Egyptian mediators.

Israel's military pounded Gaza City prior to a planned takeover, with another 123 people killed in the last day, according to the Gaza health ministry, while Hamas held further talks with Egyptian mediators.