Battles reported in east Rafah as Israelreopens key aid crossing | BBC News

There has been fighting and bombardment on theoutskirts of the southern Gaza city of Rafah, as Israelsaid the Kerem Shalom crossing had reopened for aid.

The Israeli military said troops had killed Hamasfighters in eastern Rafah as part of a "precise'counterterrorism operation. Hamas also reported battles.

A UN agency said no supplies had entered through thereopened Kerem Shalom crossing for aid yet.

Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza to destroyHamas in response to the group's cross-border attackon southern Israel on 7 October, during which about1,200 people were killed and 252 others were taken hostage.

More than 34,840 people have been killed in Gazasince then, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.