Israeli forces have killed at least 16,248 people, including 7,112 children and 4,885 women, in Gaza since October 7, a statement from the Hamas media office said on Tuesday.

At least 43,616 people have been injured and at least 7,600 people are missing, it said.

On Tuesday, Israeli forces stormed southern Gaza's main city of Khan Younis in what they called the most intense day of combat in five weeks of ground operations against Hamas.

"We are in the heart of Jabalia, in the heart of Shuja'iyya, and now also in the heart of Khan Younis," the commander of the Israeli military's Southern Command, General Yaron Finkelman said.