Israel’s military has pounded central Gaza with heavy air strikes as US, Qatari and Egyptian mediators planned to resume talks on a truce and hostage release deal, AFP reports.

Tensions were high in annexed east Jerusalem where thousands of police were deployed to guard Israel’s annual “flag March” that has sparked clashes between Jews and Arabs in previous years.

But fighting has also flared again in central areas, where the army said “troops have started targeted operational activity in the areas of Bureij and eastern Deir al-Balah, both above and below ground”.

“The activity started with a series of air strikes on terror targets, including military compounds, weapons storage facilities and underground infrastructure,” it said.

“During the strikes, several Hamas terrorists were eliminated.” Bombardment of central Gaza killed 11 people near the Al-Maghazi camp and two near Deir al-Balah, said witnesses and Palestinian civil defence and hospital officials.

Families have rushed the dead and wounded to hospitals in the area, where AFP reporters said civilians were once more packing their belongings on pickup trucks and wheelchairs to flee.