The Israeli army is advancing deeper into Gaza City. Soldiers and tanks took up positions in one of the city's largest and most densely populated neighborhoods, Sheikh Radwan, Reuters reported, BTA reported.
Despite international calls to end the offensive, Israeli forces have advanced through the outskirts of Gaza City in recent weeks and are now just a few kilometers from the center.
Gaza residents said troops have destroyed homes and tent camps housing Palestinians. At least 24 Palestinians, including children, were killed in the enclave today, according to local health officials. Most of the casualties were in Gaza City.
The Israeli army said it would continue to act against "terrorist organizations" in Gaza and "eliminate any threat" to the state of Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the army to take control of Gaza. He described the city as "Hamas' last stronghold." Netanyahu has insisted the movement must be crushed unless it lays down its arms and surrenders.
Tens of thousands of Israeli reservists reported for duty yesterday to support the offensive in Gaza City. Last month, a military official told reporters that the force was expected to perform mostly non-combat functions, such as reconnaissance, or to take over tasks in places like the West Bank, while soldiers currently stationed there would be transferred to Gaza.
The assault on Gaza City threatens to displace one million Palestinians - nearly half the enclave's population. In recent weeks, the Israeli army has ordered civilians in Gaza to leave their homes.
Meanwhile, protests continue in Israel demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages.
Today, dozens of protesters climbed onto the roof of the National Library in Jerusalem. They unfurled a large banner with a picture of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the words: "You betrayed the hostages and killed them." A separate group of protesters set fire to trash cans outside Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem. A third group of activists blocked the road leading to the Israeli parliament.