Strikes and explosions continued across Gaza City on Friday while Palestinians were forced to evacuate ahead of the Israeli ground offensive to retake control of the strip's largest city.

While many decided to stay in the city despite the attacks, thousands have fled to the south of the enclave to live in tents in already overcrowded areas.

Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, abducting 251 people and killing some 1,200, mostly civilians.

Forty-eight hostages are still held inside Gaza, around 20 of them believed to be alive.

Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed more than 64,700 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

The ministry does not say how many were civilians or combatants but says women and children make up around half the dead.