The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is beginning fighting Hamas in new areas of Gaza City in neighborhoods of Daraj and Tuffah as it nears the end of the ground offensive in northern Gaza, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said on Wednesday.

During a tour at the front in southern Gaza on Wednesday, head of IDF Southern Command Yaron Finkelman said the Israeli operation will continue and keep moving forward both above ground and underground as Israel has been hitting tunnels Hamas used to operate from.

Israel has also claimed to have secured control over what it called the "elite quarter" of Gaza's largest city where Hamas's "administrative and military leadership operated," though no comment has come from Hamas on the claim yet. 

As Israel presses on its operation, the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday further delayed a vote that calls for "urgent humanitarian pauses" in Gaza.