Israeli strikes in Gaza City overnight and into Tuesday killed at least 34 Palestinians, according to the Shifa Hospital, which received the bodies.

Palestinian residents reported heavy strikes Tuesday across Gaza City as Israel’s defense minister said that “Gaza is burning,” in remarks that came as a new Israeli ground offensive targeted the city.

An Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with military guidelines, said that the “main phase” of the Gaza City operation had begun, with troops moving in from the city’s outskirts toward its center.

Airstrikes have pounded Gaza City for some time in the leadup to the operation, knocking down towers in the city.

The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251.

Most of the hostages have since been released in ceasefires brokered in part by Qatar or other deals.

Israel believes around 20 of the 48 hostages still held by the militants in Gaza are alive.

Hamas has said it will only free remaining hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners, a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed at least 64,871 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t say how many were civilians or combatants.

The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals, says women and children make up around half the dead.