Israeli strikes in Gaza killed more than 200 people in 24 hours, authorities said, as the United States again pressed its ally to do more to protect civilians, AFP reports.

Despite growing calls for restraint and for more aid to reach Palestinians in the enclave, Israel showed little sign of modulating its 11-week-old “Operation Swords of Iron” — which aims to rout Hamas.

Fighting is now centred on Gaza City and the southern city of Khan Younis, both considered strongholds of the Palestinian group that carried out October 7 raids into Israel.

After reports of heavy Israeli shelling, grey and black smoke rose over the north of the coastal territory and in Khan Younis.

Outside a morgue at the city’s Nasser Hospital, grieving relatives prayed, wept and stared vacantly as they tried to process incalculable loss. “This is a genocide,” said resident Rafat Al Aydi.