Israeli Troops Push Deeper into Gaza's Rafah

The Israeli army released a video it said shows ground troops operating in Gaza, as residents said tanks pushed deeper into the enclave's southern city of Rafah.

Another military video released showed aerial views of the coastal Palestinian village of Al Qarya as Suwaydiya in the Rafah area, where the army said it was striking 'militant targets'.

The army said its troops were conducting 'precise, intelligence-based' operations in the area of Rafah and killed militants in 'close-quarters encounters.' It said forces continued to operate in central Gaza as well.

Residents and medics in Hamas-run Gaza said Israeli airstrikes  killed at least 17 Palestinians. Most of the population that had taken refuge in Rafah before Israel's operation there has fled northwards.

On the grounds of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah seven bodies wrapped in white shrouds could be seen laid out, ahead of their funeral.

Israeli airstrikes killed at least 17 Palestinians in two of the Gaza Strip's historic refugee camps and Israeli tanks pushed deeper into the enclave's southern city of Rafah, residents and medics said.

Residents reported heavy bombardments from tanks and planes in several areas of Rafah, where more than a million people had taken refuge before May. Most of the population has fled northwards since then as Israeli forces invaded the city.

The Israeli military statement did not comment directly on the 17 deaths but said forces continued to operate against militant factions in central Gaza areas.

Israel's ground and air campaign was triggered when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 people and seizing more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

The offensive has left Gaza in ruins, killing more than 37,372 people, according to its health authorities, and left much of the population homeless and destitute.