Israeli strikes on southern Gaza kill 26, including Hamas political leader

Smoke rises from a building after it was targeted by an Israeli army strike, following evacuation orders for residents in Gaza (Jehad Alshrafi/AP)

Israeli strikes across the southern Gaza Strip killed at least 26 Palestinians overnight into Sunday, including a senior Hamas political leader and several women and children.

Residents said tanks had advanced into an area of the southern city of Rafah as the military ordered it evacuated.