Gaza – or what is left of it – is no longer the city its residents once knew. The smell of death hangs in the air, and dust from relentless bombardments clouds the sky, erasing the sea from view.

Takeover raises the prospect of curfews, evacuation orders and exhausted civilians on the road once more.

Palestinians have told the BBC they are living in fear of the plans, which have been heavily criticised by the international community.