Israel intensifies Gaza assault and severs communications across territory

IDF announces escalation of air and ground operations as UN warns besieged territory faces massive health hazard'

• Israel and Hamas at war - live updates

Israeli air and ground forces are stepping up their operations in the Gaza Strip, Israel's chief military spokesperson said late on Friday, amid exceptionally heavy bombing and a communications blackout across the embattled territory.

After nightfall, frequent explosions from airstrikes lit up the sky over Gaza City. The Red Crescent, the World Health Organization, Medecins Sans Frontieres, Unicef and other aid groups said they had lost all contact with their staff in Gaza. The Palestinian phone service provider, Paltel, said its phone connections and internet services had been cut off.