Israel on Wednesday gave Gaza City residents a final warning to flee south or be treated as terrorists, as the Israeli military announced plans to tighten its siege on the city.

“This is the last opportunity for Gaza residents who wish to do so to move south and leave Hamas operatives isolated in Gaza City," said Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz in a statement.

“Those who remain… will be considered terrorists and terrorist supporters," Katz noted.

The warning came as intense Israeli airstrikes continued over Gaza City on Wednesday, killing at least 16 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip. Among the dead were people sheltering at a school for displaced residents in the eastern Zeitoun neighbourhood. Officials from Al-Ahli Hospital said Al-Falah school was struck twice within minutes.

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