HEAVY fighting between Israeli troops and Palestinian resistance fighters on the outskirts of the southern Gaza city of Rafah has left crucial nearby aid crossings inaccessible and caused over 100,000 people to flee north, a United Nations official said today.

A UN general assembly vote took place later in the day over granting Palestine steps towards full UN membership. 

Israel’s plans for a full-scale invasion of Rafah appear to be on hold for now, with the United States deeply opposed and stepping up pressure by threatening to withhold arms.