Israeli tanks advance into areas in north and south Gaza

Israeli forces advanced further on Sunday into the Shejaia neighborhood of northern Gaza and also pushed deeper into western and central Rafah in the south, worsening the already dire humanitarian situation.

Israeli tanks, which moved back into Shejaia four days ago, fired shells towards several houses, according to residents, leaving families trapped inside and unable to leave.

The Israeli military said forces operating in Shejaia had killed several Palestinian gunmen over the past day and found military infrastructure inside a United Nations school as well as dozens of weapons and "valuable intelligence documents".

Hamas denies using civilian sites such as schools and hospitals for military purposes.

The armed wing of Hamas and the allied Islamic Jihad reported fierce fighting in both Shejaia and Rafah, saying their fighters had fired anti-tank rockets and mortar bombs against Israeli forces operating there. 

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimated that "60,000 to 80,000 people were displaced" from Shejaia since new fighting broke out there on June 27 and the army issued evacuation orders. 

More than eight months into the Israel-Hamas conflict, militants continue to stage attacks on Israeli forces, operating in areas that the Israeli army said it had gained control over months ago. 

UN and other relief agencies have voiced alarm over the dire humanitarian crisis and the threat of starvation that the conflict and Israeli siege have brought to Gaza's 2.4 million people.

"It is really unbearable," said Ms Louise Wateridge from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees after returning to the city of Khan Younis.

"Everything is rubble, and yet people are living there again," she added. 

Meanwhile, Arab mediators' efforts, backed by the United States, have stalled.

Also on Sunday, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesperson for the Palestinian presidency, said as reported by the Palestinian official news agency WAFA, "there is no legitimacy for any foreign presence on Palestinian lands, and only the Palestinian people can decide who governs and manages their affairs."

That's a response to Israeli statements calling for the handover of the Gaza Strip to international forces.

On Friday, Israeli public radio Kan reported that Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant discussed the transitional phase plan for Gaza during his visit to the United States days ago.

The plan would be overseen by a steering committee led by the U.S. and involving moderate Arab countries, according to the radio.

Rudeineh said that the Israeli government "is delusional if it thinks it can decide the fate of the Palestinian people and cement the occupation by bringing in foreign forces."

He added that "the Palestine issue is about land and statehood, not just humanitarian aid; it is a sacred issue and the central cause for Arabs."

(With input from agencies)