Israel bombards Gaza, readies its troops for ground assault

[Collection]Israeli air strikes pounded locations across the Gaza Strip on Thursday, including parts of the south that Israel told Palestinians to take refuge, heightening fears among more than 2 million Palestinians trapped in the territory that nowhere was safe. Israel's defence minister Yoav Gallant told ground troops to be ready to enter Gaza, though he didn't say when the invasion will start. Troops were not expected to enter while foreign leaders were visiting.