Israel conflict latest: Blinken heads to Israel as air strikes on Gaza continue

Israel’s air strikes on the hemmed-in Gaza Strip have displaced more than 338,000 people, according to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees.

The number increased by 30 per cent over 24 hours, the UN said in an update late on Wednesday. Two thirds of the displaced were taking shelter in UNRWA schools.

Israel, which controls the supply of commodities to the Hamas-run territory, has implemented a “complete” siege, blocking all fuel, gas and electricity.

Gaza’s sole power plant ran out of fuel around midday on Wednesday, according to the UN. According to its operator, as cited by the UN, “the Israeli authorities have warned that they would attack the plant if it received any fuel and reoperate[d]”.