The IDF has said it is “possible” Israeli hostage Yossi Sharabi may have been killed by the actions of its own forces in Gaza.

Hamas announced Mr Sharabi’s death weeks ago, but the Israeli military today said an investigation had found the 53-year-old may have died in the collapse of a building near a structure that was under attack from the IDF. 

Israel’s military said the structure was a “legitimate target” that had been approved according to procedure. 

It added it had intelligence that an attack on IDF forces was going to be launched from the structure.

Raz Matalon, the brother-in-law of Mr Sharabi and his brother, Eli Sharabi – who remains held by Hamas – told our partner network NBC News the IDF informed his family of the development earlier today. 

He said Mr Sharabi was a “great man” and that his family had feared the fighting in Gaza “endangers the hostages”. 

‘We’re exhausted… I will die here’

Palestinians are expressing anguish after being told they will need to leave the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

More than a million people are staying there currently, many of them displaced from elsewhere in Gaza. 

Israel has said it will be carrying out a ground offensive in the area to destroy Hamas battalions. 

Palestinian Jihan al Hawajri asks: “What remains here? Where to go then?”