Israeli strikes today have hit the city of Khan Younis, an AFP correspondent reported, while Palestinian fighters Islamic Jihad said they had blown up a house where Israeli soldiers were searching for a tunnel shaft.

According to AFP, the army reported rocket fire from Gaza into Israel, and said fierce fighting had taken place on Sunday around Gaza City and Khan Younis.

Hamas on Sunday warned that Israel would not receive “their prisoners alive without an exchange and negotiation and meeting the demands of the resistance”.

Israel says there are still 137 hostages in Gaza, while activists say around 7,000 Palestinians are in Israeli jails.