(VOVWORLD) - Israeli forces killed at least 16 Palestinians across Gaza on Thursday and wounded dozens in the south of the enclave, local medics said, as residents reported that Gaza City suburbs were under intensifying bombardment.
The Israeli military is preparing to seize Gaza City, the territory's largest urban centre, despite international calls on Israel to desist over fears that a ground offensive would cause significant casualties and displace the roughly one million Palestinians sheltering there.
Israeli officials describe Gaza City as the last urban stronghold of Hamas, which ignited the conflict with its deadly October 2023 attack on Israel. The Islamist militant group has since been decimated by Israel's air and ground strikes in Gaza.
The Israeli military said in a statement that it was continuing to operate throughout the enclave targeting what it described as "terrorist organizations" and infrastructure.