The operation faces mounting international condemnation, but American officials describe it, at least for now, as limited and targeted.

By Michelle Nichols NEW YORK (Reuters) -Aid access to the Gaza Strip is extremely limited with less than 1,000 truckloads of humanitarian assistance entering the enclave since May 7, after Israel began a military operation in southern Gaza's Rafah area,

But there is no immediate indication that Israel will change course as a result of Friday's ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Its tanks are pushing closer to the centre of Rafah and just as the decision was being read out, a series of air strikes sent a huge black cloud billowing over Rafah.