Israel says its next stage of war with Hamas has begun as it expands ground operations in Gaza.

Telephone and internet communications in Gaza have been partially restored after a more than day-long blackout, which badly impacted rescue operations.

The UN has warned civil order in Gaza is deteriorating.

Otago University international relations professor Robert Patman told Kate Hawkesby two-thirds of the UN supported calls for a humanitarian "pause" in Gaza.

“I don’t think Netanyahu’s government can make the claim now that the world is fully supporting Israel’s response.”

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