Multiple explosions seen and sirens heard on Israel-Gaza border

Explosions lit up the night sky over Ashkelon, Israel, on Friday evening as Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) announced ground forces were “expanding their activity” in the Gaza Strip.

This comes as local reporting suggests the territory’s internet and mobile communications services collapsed on Friday (27 October).

In the past few hours, Israel has gathered its troops along the border with Gaza ahead of an expected ground offensive against the Hamas militant group.

Up to 1,000 people are still stuck under the rubble of destroyed buildings in Gaza, according to a World Health Organisation official.