"Ninety-four martyrs have been killed in Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip since dawn today," civil defence agency spokesman Mahmud Basal told AFP.

The agency had given an earlier toll of at least 50 dead.

Amir Selha, a 43-year-old Palestinian from north Gaza, reported "intense Israeli shelling all night".

"Tank shells are striking around the clock, and the area is packed with people and tents," he said.

Gaza's population have been displaced at least once during the 19 months of the Israeli war on the Palestinian Strip.

Israel blocked all aid from entering Gaza on March 2, before resuming war on March 18.

Evacuation orders 
 

The Palestinian health ministry said Thursday that 2,876 people have been killed since Israel resumed strikes on March 18.

It said the overall death toll in Gaza since the war broke out on October 7, 2023, stands at 53,010.

Selha in Gaza said army quadcopter drones dropped leaflets in his neighbourhood early Thursday, asking residents to move south.

The UN estimates that 70 per cent of Gaza is now either an Israeli-declared no-go zone or under evacuation order.

Basal said in a statement Thursday, Israel "is employing a policy of shrinking areas and emptying populated regions to pressure and terrorise civilians".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday the military would enter Gaza "with full force" in the coming days.

Despite air strikes, talks are still ongoing for a ceasefire deal.

With US President Donald Trump touring Gulf countries, his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff discussed a ceasefire and captive release deal issue with Netanyahu on Wednesday.

Hamas in a statement Thursday accused Netanyahu of undermining captive release and ceasefire efforts "through deliberate military escalation, showing indifference to his captives, endangering their lives".

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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