Israel is intensifying attacks on civilian homes and gatherings, according to the civil defence agency in the enclave, Al Jazeera reports.

“Nearly 100 martyrs were killed in the Gaza Strip within 24 hours as a result of the continuous Israeli bombing operations on homes and citizens’ gatherings,” the agency said in a statement.

The agency’s spokesman said the largest loss of life took place in the bombing of a house belonging to the al-Araj family in the Tal al-Zaatar neighbourhood, which housed more than 40 people.

The statement added: “Until this moment, civil defence crews are prevented from exercising their duties in northern Gaza, and this has led to hundreds of citizens remaining under the rubble.”