GAZA: More than 80 Palestinians were killed across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, with the heaviest toll reported in Gaza City, according to local hospitals.

At least 20 people, including women and children, died overnight when a strike targeted a building and tents sheltering displaced families in the central Daraj neighbourhood near Firas market, first responders confirmed.

The Israeli military said its operation struck two Hamas fighters, adding that reported casualty numbers did not match its own assessment.

Israeli tanks and ground forces pressed further into Gaza City, which the military has described as the last remaining stronghold of Hamas.