Israeli troops and tanks briefly raided northern Gaza overnight (Thursday AEDT), the military said on Thursday, engaging with Hamas fighters and targeting anti-tank weapons in order to "prepare the battlefield" before an expected ground invasion.

The raid came after more than two weeks of devastating airstrikes in the small, densely-populated territory — with more than 250 in the past 24 hours — and as the UN and other world leaders warn of a dire humanitarian crisis getting worse.

Israel has imposed a suffocating siege on Gaza since Hamas' bloody rampage and hostage-taking across southern Israel ignited the war.

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Residents are running out of food, water and medicine, and UN workers have barely any fuel left to support their relief missions across Gaza, where more than one million Palestinians have been displaced.

The rising death toll in Gaza is unprecedented in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Health Ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza said Thursday more than 7000 Palestinians have died in the conflict, a figure that could not be independently verified.

Even greater loss of life could come if Israel launches a ground offensive aimed at crushing Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007 and survived four previous wars with Israel.

Israeli airstrikes in the southern city of Khan Younis leveled more than eight homes belonging to an extended family, killing at least 15 people. Ambulances raced to the scene as dust from the collapsing buildings hung in the air.

The blast zone was a chaotic wasteland of crumbled concrete and twisted metal. Rescuers carried wounded people covered in gray dust.

The body of a boy was dug out from beneath a concrete slab, where his head had come to rest next to the foot of another person entombed in the wreckage.

The Israeli military says it only strikes militant targets and accuses Hamas of operating among civilians in an attempt to protect its fighters.

Palestinian militants have thousands of rockets into Israel since the war began. One struck a residential building in the central city of Petah Tikva, without wounding anyone.

Hamas' military wing said Thursday that Israeli bombardment has so far killed about 50 of the at least 224 hostages the militants abducted during its October 7 assault. There was no immediate comment from Israeli officials, who have denied previous, similar claims.

The conflict has threatened to ignite a wider war across the region.

Hezbollah, an Iranian-funded ally of Hamas operating out of Lebanon, has repeatedly traded fire with Israel along the border. Israel has carried out airstrikes in Lebanon, Syria and even the occupied West Bank.

The United States has sent to the region two aircraft carrier strike groups with a number of ships, along with additional fighter jets and other weaponry and personnel.

Israel has vowed to crush Hamas' capacity to govern Gaza or threaten Israel again, while also saying it doesn't want to reoccupy the territory from which it withdrew soldiers and settlers in 2005.

That could prove a daunting challenge, since Hamas is deeply rooted in Gaza, with political and charity organizations as well as a formidable armed wing.

Benny Gantz, a retired general and a member of Israel's war Cabinet, said any possible ground offensive would be only "one stage in a long-term process that includes security, political and social aspects that will take years."

"The campaign will soon ramp up with greater force," he added.

During the overnight raid, soldiers killed fighters and destroyed militant infrastructure and anti-tank missile launching positions, the military said. It said no Israelis were wounded. There was no immediate confirmation of any Palestinian casualties.

Israeli Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, a military spokesman, said the limited incursion was "part of our preparations for the next stages of the war."

Israel also said it had also carried out around 250 airstrikes across Gaza in the last 24 hours, targeting tunnel shafts, rocket launchers and other militant infrastructure. Its reported targeting could not be independently verified.

The Gaza Health Ministry says more than 7000 Palestinians have been killed in the war in less than three weeks, a figure that includes the disputed toll from an explosion at a hospital. That is more than three times the number of Palestinians killed in the six-week-long Gaza war in 2014. The ministry's toll includes more than 2,900 minors and more than 1,500 women.

On Wednesday, the wife, son, daughter and grandson of Wael Dahdouh, a veteran Al-Jazeera correspondent in Gaza, were killed in an Israeli strike. Dahdouh and other mourners attended the funerals on Thursday wearing the blue flak jackets used by reporters in the Palestinian territories.

The fighting has killed more than 1400 people in Israel, mostly civilians slain during the initial Hamas attack, according to the Israeli government.

The warning by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, over depleting fuel supplies raised alarm that the humanitarian crisis could quickly worsen. Israel is still barring deliveries of fuel — needed to power generators — saying it believes Hamas will take it for military use.

About 1.4 million of Gaza's 2.3 million residents have fled their homes, with nearly half of them crowded into UN shelters.

Hundreds of thousands remain in northern Gaza, despite Israel ordering them to evacuate to the south, saying those who remain might be considered "accomplices" of Hamas.

In recent days, Israel has let more than 70 trucks with aid enter from Egypt, which aid workers say is insufficient and only a tiny fraction of what is needed.

"This is … a drop in the ocean," said William Schomburg, an official with the International Committee of the Red Cross in Gaza. "We are trying to establish a pipeline."

More than half of Gaza's primary health care facilities and roughly a third of its hospitals have stopped functioning, the World Health Organization said.

At Gaza City's al-Shifa Hospital, the lack of medicine and clean water have led to "alarming" infection rates, the group Doctors Without Borders said. Amputations are often required to prevent infection from spreading in the wounded, it said.

Nine Arab countries – including key US allies and nations that have signed peace or normalization deals with Israel – issued a joint statement Thursday calling for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the targeting and death of civilians.

"The right to self defence by the United Nations Charter does not justify blatant violations of humanitarian and international law," said the statement, signed by Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait and Morocco.

But ACC disagrees and has declined coverage for the boy.

A couple has been reunited with a triple zero phone operator who coached them through the birth of their second child at their Sydney home.

Alanna Docherty experienced back pain a week before her due date, unaware she had gone into early labour until her water broke.

Docherty's fiance Tyrone Dabbousi rushed home when he got the call and told her to ring Triple Zero.

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He made it there before paramedics arrived, just as the baby started to crown.

"She (the baby) was out in like 5 to 10 minutes, it was a really quick one," Dabbousi said.

Phone operator Vivienne Young coached the couple through the delivery over the phone while paramedics sped to the home in Georges Hall.

"This is one of the nicer calls, one that we really take to heart and really enjoy it and know that this is why we're here to help with these kinds of calls," Young said.

Paramedics Samantha Masterson and Doriana Szkudlerek arrived shortly after the baby did.

"Alana was sitting on the floor In between the couches with a baby between her legs, still attached to the cord," Masterson told 9News.

"We gave some oxytocin which is sort of a hormone that helps get all the last stages of labor going and then deliver the placenta," Szkudlerek added.

The paramedics and Young reunited with the family today to wish them congratulations.

Docherty said she was "so grateful" for the team's help.

Ran Yaakoby says Israel’s response to the Hamas attacks was proportionate.

The intense manhunt for the military-trained suspect behind a mass shooting that has killed at least 22 people in the US state of Maine remains ongoing, as officials have revealed disturbing details about the gunman's recent history.

Local police named 40-year-old Robert Card as the suspect in the multiple mass shootings – one at a bowling alley full of families and children, the other at a bar.

Law enforcement officials in Maine described Card as a certified firearms instructor and a member of the US Army Reserves.

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Officials also said Card had recently made threats to carry out a shooting at a National Guard facility in Saco, Maine, and also reported mental health issues, including hearing voices.

A police bulletin said Card had been committed to a mental health facility for two weeks in mid-2023.

It did not provide details about his treatment or condition but said Card had reported "hearing voices and threats to shoot up" the military base.

In addition to the 22 fatalities, between 50 and 60 people were injured in the shootings at Sparetime Recreation bowling alley and Schemengees Bar & Grille Restaurant restaurant in Lewiston, a city of around 37,000 people.

Footage taken outside the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley shows people, including children, running from the scene while separate vision shows the injured being loaded into ambulances.

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There have also been reports of a third shooting location at the Walmart Distribution Centre on Alfred A. Plourde Parkway in Lewiston.

The search for Card has narrowed down on a nearby town after a "vehicle of interest" was located there.

Commissioner of the Department of Safety, Mike Sauschuck, held a news briefing on Wednesday night (Thursday afternoon AEDT) confirming a vehicle of interest was located in Lisbon, 13km south-east of Lewiston.

Residents in both cities are being told to shelter indoors, with police warning the shooter remains "armed and dangerous".

Hundreds of officers are continuing to search for Card.

"Law Enforcement is attempting to locate Robert Card 4/4/1983, as a person of interest regarding the mass shooting at Schemengees Bar and Sparetime Recreation this evening," the Lewiston Police Department said in a statement posted to social media.

"Card should be considered armed and dangerous. Please contact law enforcement if you are aware of his whereabouts."

The Sheriff's Office released CCTV images of the suspected gunman, which appear to show him holding an AR-15-style assault rifle with a telescopic sight mounted on it.

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Central Maine Medical Centre said on its website staff were "reacting to a mass casualty, mass shooter event" and were coordinating with area hospitals to take in patients.

Residents in Lewiston and neighbouring Auburn – with a combined population of over 60,000 people – have been advised to stay inside and lock their doors.

"We are encouraging all businesses to lock down and or close while we investigate," the Lewiston sheriff's office said earlier on Wednesday evening.

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Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline said he is "heartbroken for our city and our people" over the mass shooting.

"Lewiston is known for our strength and grit and we will need both in the days to come," Sheline said in a statement.

The mayor called on residents to "follow all recommended guidelines and stay home," adding that the city is currently under a shelter-in-place order.

Maine State Police also say they are responding to an active shooter situation in Lewiston in a post on Facebook.

"Please stay inside your home with the doors locked," state police said.

"If you see any suspicious activity or individuals please call 911."

Lewiston is about 57km north of Portland, Maine, and is the state's second-largest city.

Adelaide teachers are threatening strike action for the second time in a month, with a second strike planned to hit in the middle of SACE exams.

Thousands of teachers across the state last month stormed the steps of Parliament demanding better pay and conditions, many claiming they were overworked and "at breaking point".

"I don't think we can underscore enough the level of anger that's being felt in the education community," Australian Education Union (SA Branch) President Andrew Gohl said.

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The strike last month shut down more than 160 public schools and preschools, and there is criticism now over the union's move to hold a second strike during important higher education exams.

The government has been given a deadline of November 6 to present a third pay offer, or teachers could strike on November 9 – the same day as the SACE physics and accounting exams.

Deputy leader of the opposition John Gardner said any disruption could give private school students an unfair advantage over those in the public system.

"I'd encourage them not to strike at all," he said.

"If they're going to, at least wait eight days until the exams are over."

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Failed negotiations between the union and the government have been underway for nine months.

The union has pushed for an 8.6 per cent pay rise in the new enterprise agreement with the government, followed by a 5.5 per cent increase in the two years after.

Teachers also desire a support officer in every classroom, and more time to complete admin work.

The government earlier offered public teachers a 3 per cent pay rise annually over the next three years, which was rejected.

Andrew Gohl, the President at the Australian Education Union (SA Branch), insisted if strike action proceeded, exams would not be impacted.

"There will be support for year 12 students, we'll make sure that's the case," he said.

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Minister for Education Blair Boyer said he was "shocked" about the union's move to conduct a second strike.

"This doesn't advance anything, it wasn't needed, it came as a real surprise to the government," he said.

"I am still confident despite this that we are able to deliver a final agreement soon that will get teachers a pay rise and get teachers a workload reduction as well."

Police are searching the waters near an affluent Sydney suburb for a male colleague of a young woman who was found dead in a school in Sydney's CBD with severe head injuries.

Just after midnight, police found the body of water polo coach Lilie James, 21, in the toilet area of a gymnasium at St Andrew's Cathedral School on Kent Street.

Her parents had contacted emergency services when she did not return to her Kogarah Bay home after work.

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Police are searching for Paul Thijssen, 24, near Diamond Bay Reserve at Vaucluse after receiving a phone call suggesting that was his last known location.

Police are combing the reserve and are patrolling the waters off South Head.

Thijssen, a former student of the school, had been working there as a sports assistant.

9News understands James and Thijssen had been dating for a few weeks before she called the relationship off.

NSW Police Superintendent Martin Fileman said the scene was "confronting" for the officers who found James, who was the victim of an "apparent" homicide.

"Last night police from Sydney city police area command were responding to a welfare check and attended the school at St Andrew's cathedral where police located the body of a female in her early 20s in the gym area of the school," he said.

"From her injuries, it was apparent she was a victim of a homicide."

9News understands James was attacked with a hammer. 

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Investigators are seeking to speak with Thijssen, also in his 20s.

He and James were known to each other, Fileman said, but there was no police history of domestic violence between the pair.

A second crime scene has been established at Vaucluse, where police believe they have discovered "property associated with the homicide was located".

Police have also examined a car found in a nearby Wilson Carpark.

Fileman said police were interviewing several people, and that other staff were present in the building at that time.

The school will remain closed until Monday while investigations continue. 

The school issued a statement earlier today confirming it would be closed today to everybody except those sitting Year 12 exams "following an onsite death overnight".

"No students were involved and there is no ongoing threat," a school spokesperson said.

"An area of the school, not accessible to students, is a crime zone, and we await the approval of police before bringing everyone back on site."

School counsellors have been called in to offer support for parents and students.

"The only students onsite are those sitting exams, and we ask that the media does not seek to interrupt their concentration or state of mind as they sit exams that are significant for their graduation," the spokesperson said.

They said the school would not make any further comment.

One of Sydney's oldest schools, St Andrew's has fees ranging from $22,000 for kindergarten to $38,000 for Year 12.

Crisis support is available from Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Thousands of residents in Adelaide's south who have been left without water supply for two days are set to be compensated.

Residents at Hallett Cove have been without water since before they woke yesterday, and are not expected to have the supply restored until late tonight, after a water main leak forced the closure of a major pipe.

Authorities cut the water off early on Wednesday to address the significant repairs needed on the pipe on Lonsdale Rd, with crews working into the night.

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Residents were left without running water, unable to shower, use their toilets or run their businesses.

The only reprieve was portaloos and casks of water that were transferred into the area.

"I've had to do 12-hour days to reschedule, inconveniencing clients as well as paying wages for no services," hairdresser Leanne Buechter said.

Emergency water tankers were brought in to allow schools to reopen this morning, following the forced closures yesterday.

SA Water has apologised to residents, opting to waive the next quarterly supply charge for all customers impacted.

"We are just working through exactly how that will happen now but customers won't have to contact us we will make sure we make it as easy as we possibly can," General Manager Customer, Community and Engagement at SA Water, David Coombe, said.

"They will have that information in their bills."

SA Water said it expected supply will be restored to all impacted customers by this evening.

Investigators have painted a picture of an alleged criminal syndicate "living the high life" after federal police dismantled an alleged $229 million money laundering operation they claim was masquerading as a prominent, multi-billion-dollar money exchange chain in Australia.

The Changjiang Currency Exchange, which the AFP alleges is being secretly run by the Long River money laundering syndicate, is accused of laundering almost $229 million in the proceeds of crime in the past three years.

Officers arrested the group during raids across the nation yesterday as part of what has been called the most complex AFP-led money laundering investigation in Australian history.

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Jing Zhu, 35, Ye Qu, 35, Ding Wang, 40, Jin Wang, 33, Jie Lu, 28 and Fei Duan, 37, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court today, while Zuo Chen, 37, had faced the same court the previous evening.

Court documents allege Qu, Duan, Chen, Wang and Wang are charged over allegations they conspired to conceal or disguise money or property believed to be proceeds of crime worth more than $10 million between March 1, 2021 and October 24, 2023.

It's alleged all seven co-accused conspired to deal with proceeds of crime worth more than $10 million between March 13 and October 24 this year.

The Changjiang Currency Exchange, which has 12 shop fronts in every mainland state, is now subject to regulatory action by AUSTRAC.

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The AFP claims the company attempted to appear as a law-abiding money remittance company, including by handing out anti-money laundering resources to customers.

The AFP will allege it identified links between known money laundering organisations and the Changjiang Currency Exchange, which piqued the attention of investigators when the company opened new and updated existing shopfronts in Sydney during COVID-19 lockdowns.

The Changjiang Currency Exchange has transferred in excess of $10 billion in the past three financial years, the AFP said.

While most of these funds were involved in lawful transactions, the AFP will allege the company facilitated a system for organised criminals to secretly transfer unlawfully-obtained money in and out of Australia.

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Between 2020 and 2023, the AFP claims, that amounted to $228,883,561.

It is alleged some of the money laundered was criminal activities, including cyber scams, smuggling, and violent crimes.

The AFP claims the syndicate would coach its criminal customers how to create fake business paperwork, like false invoices and bank statements.

How the alleged syndicate worked

It's alleged criminal customers and the Changjiang Currency Exchange used the fabricated paperwork to disguise the illegally-gained money as lawful.

The Changjiang Currency Exchange is accused of transferring the unlawfully-obtained funds to national and international accounts by claiming it was the legitimate business profits and business expenses of their customers.

The AFP will allege the construct of Changjiang Currency Exchange's criminal enterprise, and accomplices allegedly recruited within the financial sector, also enabled syndicate members to financially benefit from the proceeds of crime and tax evasion between 2020-2023.

It is alleged that working with legal and illicit funds, the company was able to transfer up to $100 million a day for customers in Australia and throughout the world, with the volume of transfers masking the alleged laundering of tainted money.

AFP Eastern Command Assistant Commissioner Stephen Dametto said it would be alleged the highly-organised syndicate purchased false passports for $200,000 each, which could have enabled members to flee the country in the event law enforcement agencies became suspicious about their activities.

"The reason why this investigation was so unique and complex was that this alleged syndicate was operating in plain sight with shiny shopfronts across the country – it was not operating in the shadows like other money laundering organisations," Dametto said.

"During COVID-19, AFP members were still coming into work, and while most of Sydney was a ghost town, alarm bells went off among our money laundering investigators when they noticed Changjiang Currency Exchange opened and updated new and existing shopfronts in the heart of Sydney.

"It was just a gut feeling – it didn't feel right. Many international students and tourists had returned home, and there was no apparent business case for Changjiang Currency Exchange to expand."

Dametto claimed the syndicate had profited from the alleged laundering.

"We allege they lived the high life by eating at Australia's most extravagant restaurants, drinking wine and sake valued in the tens of thousands of dollars, travelling on private jets, driving vehicles purchased for $400,000 and living in expensive homes, with one valued at more than $10 million," Dametto said.

Police have been given until January 17 next year to prepare the brief of evidence against the group, before all seven are scheduled to return to court for a committal mention on March 13.

None of the group applied for bail but barristers for at least four indicated possible applications early next month.

The judge said a community-based sentence was insufficient but then gave her exactly that.