Israeli strikes in Gaza killed more than 200 people in 24 hours, authorities said Saturday, as the United States again pressed its ally to do more to protect civilians. Despite growing calls for restraint and for more aid to reach war-stricken Palestinians, Israel showed little sign of modulating its 11-week-old "Operation Swords of Iron.".
Fighting is now centered on Gaza City and the southern city of Khan Yunis, both considered strongholds of Hamas.
After reports of heavy Israeli shelling, grey and black smoke rose over the north of the coastal territory and in Khan Yunis.
The refugee camp-turned-city is the birthplace of Yahya Sinwar, Hamas' leader in Gaza.
Hamas said the death toll from this war has now surged beyond 20,000. "This is a genocide," said resident Rafat Al Aydi.
On Friday, the United States allowed the passage of a UN Security Council resolution that effectively called on Israel to allow "immediate, safe and unhindered" deliveries of life-saving aid to Gaza "at scale". World powers had wrangled for days over the wording, and at Washington's insistence toned down some provisions -- including removing a call for a ceasefire. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has accused Israel of "creating massive obstacles" for aid deliveries. For Palestinians in Gaza's southern city of Rafah, the prospect of aid alone was not enough. "We don't want food, we want a ceasefire," said Mahmud al-Shaer. Ahmad al-Burawi, who was displaced from Beit Lahia further north, added: "We just want to return to our lands, that's all. We want a solution" to end the war. "People are dying," he said. Bagheri on Saturday said the Huthis act on their "own decisions and capabilities". There also have been cross-border skirmishes between Israeli forces and Lebanon's powerful Hezbollah movement which, like Hamas, is backed by Iran.
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