The 24-hour death toll was the worst in a week and added to the massive fatalities from the nearly two-year war that has shattered the enclave housing more than 2 million Palestinians.

An airstrike on Gaza City killed at least 12 people as the conflict entered a new phase with an Israeli offensive to rid the city of Hamas and free hostages.

At least 20 Palestinians were killed in a series of Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, according to local medical sources. Seven people were killed north-west of Gaza City at a humanitarian aid distribution site.