FIGHTING raged in north and south Gaza today, with the Israeli Defence Forces saying they are battling Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants “above and below ground” in Gaza City.

The fierce clashes belie Israel’s claim as long ago as January to have defeated and dismantled Hamas in northern Gaza.

The invaders also launched offensives against Palestinians in the Rafah and Shujayea areas of the besieged Gaza Strip, as the UN said workers have begun to move tons of aid that has been piling up on a US-built pier but has begun to spoil, with lorries having been unable to shift it for three weeks because Israel’s relentless bombardments make it too dangerous.