The attack on the Mawasi area of southern Gaza killed at least a dozen people, according to the emergency rescue service in the territory. Israel did not confirm the location of the attack.

Israeli forces are escalating pressure on Hamas to disarm and leave Gaza after another overnight airstrike attack.

Israel announced Wednesday that it had converted 30 percent of Gaza's territory into a buffer zone as it pressed its unrelenting military offensive, vowing to maintain its blockade on humanitarian

Israel’s defense minister said on Wednesday that troops will remain in so-called security zones in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon and Syria indefinitely, remarks that could further complicate talks with Hamas over a ceasefire and hostage release.