The Israeli military says it is opening an additional route for 48 hours that Palestinians could use to leave Gaza City as it steps up efforts to empty the city of civilians and confront thousands of Hamas combatants.

Hundreds of thousands of people are sheltering in the city and many are reluctant to follow Israel's orders to move south because of the dangers along the way, dire conditions, a lack of food in the southern area and fear of permanent displacement.

"Even if we want to leave Gaza City, is there any guarantee we would be able to come back? Will the war ever end? That's why I prefer to die here, in Sabra, my neighbourhood," Ahmed, a schoolteacher, said by phone.

At least 63 people were killed by Israeli strikes and gunfire across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, with most of the

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