Gaza residents reported another night of intense fighting and bombardment the length of the enclave on Friday, including in Sheijaia, Sheikh Radwan, Zeitoun, Tuffah, and Beit Hanoun in the north, and in the centre and northern fringes of the main southern city Khan Younis.

According to Reuters, hospitals in Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis and Rafah reported a new influx of dead and wounded early on Friday.

The past two weeks have seen an intensification of combat since a week-long truce collapsed at the start of December, with Israel now extending its ground campaign from the northern half of the enclave into the south.

Gaza health authorities say close to 19,000 people have been confirmed killed, with thousands more feared buried under rubble.