Hamas has urged Gaza mediators to implement a truce plan presented by US President Joe Biden instead of holding more talks, as Palestinians fled a new Israeli military operation, AFP reports.

Israel, whose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been accused of prolonging the conflict for political gain, has accepted the invitation from the United States, Qatar and Egypt for a round of talks planned for Thursday.

Hamas said it wanted the implementation of a truce plan laid out by Biden on May 31 and later endorsed by the UN Security Council, “rather than going through more negotiation rounds or new proposals”.

Hamas “demands that the mediators present a plan to implement what they proposed to the movement… based on Biden’s vision and the UN Security Council resolution, and compel the (Israeli) occupation to comply”, it said.

In Khan Younis, southern Gaza’s main city already ravaged by months of bombardment and battles, AFP journalists said hundreds of Palestinians had fled northern neighbourhoods after Israel issued fresh evacuation orders.

The military dropped leaflets and sent mobile phone messages warning of “dangerous combat” in Al-Jalaa district and telling Palestinian residents to leave the area, which until Sunday had been designated a humanitarian safe zone.