Israel has vowed to continue its operation in Gaza, but admitted it is „protracted” and „difficult”.
A spokesman announced plans to „ground operations in the southern and northern Gaza Strip”.
In response to Joe Biden’s pressure to protect civilians, Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the war would go on until all Israeli goals were achieved.
Israel says 700 Palestinian militants have been arrested since it launched its military operation and invasion of Gaza with the aim of eliminating Hamas. Hamas says mostly women and children are being killed by the Israelis.
Israel has previously stressed that it takes steps to avoid civilian casualties, and blames Hamas for embedding itself in densely-populated areas.
Israel launched its retaliatory operation after Hamas fighters crossed from Gaza into southern Israel on October 7th, killing 1,200 people and taking about 240 hostages. More than 20,000 people have been killed and 53,000 injured in Gaza since then, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
Its update on Saturday said another 201 people had been killed and 368 others injured in the previous day alone.
The Israeli military has continued its bombing campaign in Gaza, while ordering civilians to flee. The UN said the latest evacuation order affected 150,000 people in the middle of the territory.
The Israeli military has said it has almost full operational control of the north of the Gaza Strip, and is stepping up operations in the south.
