Smoke rises after an explosion in Gaza, seen from the Israel-Gaza border, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, August 28, 2024. (Photo: REUTERS/Amir Cohen)

Local residents said Israeli tanks made a surprise advance into the centre of the city, and the military ordered evacuations in the east. Palestinian health officials said the Israeli strikes in Khan Younis killed at least 11 people.

In the central city of Deir Al-Balah, where at least a million people were sheltering, an Israeli airstrike killed eight Palestinians near a school housing displaced families, medics said.

In recent days, Israel has issued several evacuation orders across Gaza, saying it ordered the evacuation in areas where Hamas and other militants staged attacks, including rocket firing into Israel.