Gaza civil defence says Israeli fire kills 44

Gaza’s civil defence agency said Israeli forces killed at least 44 people on Thursday, including 25 in Gaza City where the military has increased bombardments ahead of a planned offensive.

Nearly two years into the devastating conflict, Israel has built up its forces in recent days, with troops operating on the outskirts of Gaza City, the Palestinian territory’s largest urban centre.

The United Nations estimates that nearly one million people live in and around Gaza City in the territory’s…