Air raids hinder relief operation

Occupied Jerusalem: People in Gaza were in dire need of food and medical supplies, aid agencies said on Monday, but Israel's ground invasion and air raids were hampering relief efforts.

Freezing cold is compounding the misery of children caught in the conflict. And body bags for victims are in short supply.

"The situation in Gaza since the Israel Defence Forces launched their ground offensive on Saturday night has become both chaotic and extremely dangerous," the International Committee of the Red Cross said in a situation report.

Air raids had damaged hospitals, water supply systems, government buildings and mosques but it was difficult for ICRC staff to move around to assist, it said. More than 540 Palestinians have been killed, at least a quarter of them civilians, since Israel launched its offensive on December 27 to curtail Hamas rocket attacks from Gaza.

Ground troops invaded the enclave, home to 1.5 million Palestinians, on Saturday night after a week of bombardments from the air and from naval vessels.