Israeli strikes across Gaza have killed 42 people as Israeli forces intensified a siege of northern parts of the Palestinian enclave, surrounding hospitals and refugee shelters, and ordering residents to head south, Reuters reports.

The Gaza health ministry and the World Health Organisation said they would be unable to start a polio vaccination campaign in northern Gaza as planned because of the intense bombardments, mass displacements and lack of access.

Of at least 42 people reported killed by Israeli military strikes across the enclave, 37 deaths were in northern Gaza.

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