The Israeli army has reportedly loosened its rules of engagement ahead of the expected ground invasion into the north of the Gaza Strip, amid heightened concerns over the level of civilian casualties the offensive could cause. Three unnamed senior Israeli military officers told the New York Times that the loosened rules will allow Israeli soldiers to make fewer checks before shooting at suspected enemies. When the ground incursion starts troops will be given cover by warplanes, helicopter gunships, aerial drones and artillery fired from land and sea, according to the reporting. Weather conditions that would affect that air cover is said to be behind the delay in the incursion starting. Read your updates here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/10/15/israel-palestine-latest-news-updates-hamas-gaza-day-9-live/ #israel #gaza #hamasattack Subscribe to The Telegraph with our special offer: just £1 for 3 months. Start your free trial now: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/customer/subscribe/digitalsub/3for1/?WT.mc_id=tmgoff_pvid_conversion-subscription_editorial-iniative_03-22_EGW-13_organic_youtube Get the latest headlines: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/ Telegraph.co.uk and null are websites of The Telegraph, the UK's best-selling quality daily newspaper providing news and analysis on UK and world events, business, sport, lifestyle and culture.