Medics say more than a million people sheltering in the southern Gaza city are at risk of being deprived of healthcare after the Israeli military began a "limited" operation against Hamas on its eastern outskirts on Monday.

After months of warnings of a looming Israeli offensive in overcrowded Rafah, the ground operation appears to be underway.

Israel’s military struck what it said were Hamas tunnel shafts in Gaza, while negotiations about a cease-fire and hostage release hit another impasse.