The Israeli military said it struck militant targets in northern Gaza, including command and control centers, after taking steps to mitigate the risk of harming civilians.

Palestinians reported one of the worst nights of Israeli bombardment in weeks, while Israeli officials were due in Washington for a new ceasefire push.

Gaza's civil defence agency has said that Israeli forces killed at least 51 people, including 24 at a seafront rest area, as fresh calls grow for a ceasefire in the Palestinian territory.