Israeli forces meanwhile kept up their aerial and ground blitz against Hamas in Gaza. In its daily briefing a day ago, the Israeli military said “intensive battles” with fighters continued in the main southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, Reuters reports.

Previously, it said it was trying to flush out Hamas leaders in the area. Israeli planes dropped leaflets on Al-Nusseirat ordering people to leave seven districts.

“You are in a dangerous combat area. The IDF is operating heavily in your area of residence. For your safety the IDF urges you to immediately evacuate this area,” the leaflets said, referring to the Israel Defence Forces.

Israeli warplanes and tanks also stepped up attacks on the Al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza. Residents said tanks that advanced from the east and north besieged two schools and soldiers took prisoner several people sheltering inside. They also said they were worried about rooftop snipers.

In Rafah near south Gaza’s border with Egypt, medics said an Israeli missile strike on a house killed three people. The Gaza health ministry also said an Israeli airstrike killed and wounded dozens in north Gaza’s Jabalia refugee camp.