Israeli tanks and troops have stormed into Central Gaza

BBC reports Israel army 'enters central Gaza' 22.56 BST

Israeli troops have crossed the border into central Gaza in an expansion of their offensive in the Palestinian territory, Palestinian witnesses say.

Residents said the soldiers were conducting searches in a village east of the town of Deir al-Balah, Reuters news agency reported.

To date at least 60 Palestinians, 20 of them civilians, including women and children have been killed in the offensive.