Israeli tanks pushed into southern and eastern districts of the Gazan city of Deir el-Balah for the first time, an area where Israeli sources said the military believes some of the remaining hostages may be held, Reuters reports.

The area is packed with Palestinians displaced during more than 21 months of war in Gaza, hundreds of whom fled west or south after Israel issued an evacuation order, saying it sought to destroy Hamas capabilities and infrastructure.

Tank shelling in the area hit houses and mosques, killing at least three Palestinians and wounding several others, local medics said.

To the south in Khan Younis, an Israeli airstrike killed at least five people, including a husband and wife and their two children in a tent, medics said.

There was no immediate Israeli comment on the Deir el-Balah and Khan Younis incidents.