71 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire in past 24 hours, health ministry says

In Gaza City, residents said families were fleeing their homes, with most heading towards the coast, as Israel forces bombarded the eastern suburbs of Shejaia, Zeitoun, and Sabra

Smoke rises to the sky following an Israeli military strike in the Gaza Strip as seen from southern Israel. Picture: Maya Levin/AP

Israeli forces killed at least 16 Palestinians across Gaza on Thursday and wounded dozens in the south of the enclave, local health officials said, as residents reported intensified military bombardment in the suburbs of Gaza City.

The military is preparing to take Gaza City, the enclave's largest urban centre, despite international calls on Israel%This link goes to facebook%[/url] to reconsider this over fears that the operation would cause significant casualties and displace the roughly one million Palestinians sheltering there.