Israeli ground forces battle Hamas in northern Gaza as Netanyahu rules out ceasefire | First Thing

Hamas reports clashes with IDF in north and south Gaza as leader of main UN agency in Palestine accuses Israel of ‘collective punishment’. Plus, how to build a life full of joy and meaning when you’re child-freeGood morning.Israeli ground forces have attacked Hamas positions and infrastructure in northern Gaza, after the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, categorically ruled out a ceasefire as a “surrender”.What is a human shield and how has Hamas been accused of using them? The international criminal court defines the war crime of using human shields as “utilising the presence of a civilian or other protected person to render certain points, areas or military forces immune from military operations”. Here’s an explainer on how Israel says Hamas uses them and what Hamas says.Have war crimes been committed in Israel and Gaza and what international laws apply? The United Nations has said “there is already clear evidence that war crimes may have been committed” by Hamas and the Israeli mi