Palestinians in Gaza City were anxiously awaiting the arrival on Wednesday of a truck to bring clean drinking water to families living in crowded tents and poor conditions.

That happened as large plumes of smoke were seen rising into the sky above Gaza City and Deir al-Balah as Israel continued its offensive in the enclave.

Israel has threatened to widen its military offensive against Hamas to the areas of Gaza that it does not yet control, and where most of the territory’s 2 million residents have sought refuge.

Those plans have sparked international condemnation and criticism within Israel, and could be intended to raise pressure on Hamas to reach a ceasefire.

The militants still hold 50 hostages taken in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war. Israel believes around 20 of them are alive.

Israel’s air and ground offensive has since displaced most of Gaza’s population, destroyed vast areas and pushed the territory toward famine.

It has killed more than 61,400 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were fighters or civilians but says around half were women and children.