Israel opens aid crossing to Gaza while stepping up bombardment

Turned to ruin: A Merkava tank used by Israeli soldiers patrolling a destroyed neighbourhood in the Gaza Strip. — Reuters

GAZA (Reuters) - Israel opened a direct crossing for aid into Gaza for the first time in its more than two-month-old war on Hamas on Sunday but also stepped up attacks on the Palestinian enclave, saying military pressure was the only way its hostages would be freed.

The Israeli assaults took place amid fierce fighting the length of the coastal strip, according to residents and militants, with communications down for a fourth day, making it hard to reach the wounded.