The Israeli army claims to have tightened control over about 60 to 70 per cent of the city of Rafah in southern Gaza as part of its ground offensive that has been ongoing for 40 days, Al Jazeera reports.

It now has operational control over the neighbourhoods of Shaboura, Brazil, Tal As-Sultan, and the Philadelphi Corridor, the military said.

It also said it lost 22 soldiers and had more than 300 others injured as part of this battle.

The Israeli army also claimed to have killed 550 Palestinian fighters.