Israel Defense Forces told all residents of Gaza City, an estimated 250,000 people, to leave what it called a "dangerous combat zone" and move southwards to central areas of the Palestinian enclave. Leaflets dropped from the air on Wednesday directed residents to use two roads designated as safe routes to evacuate to humanitarian zones in Deir al-Balah and al-Zawaida to avoid being caught up in IDF combat operations targeting Hamas.

Hamas said in a statement on Thursday that mediators have not yet provided the group with any updates regarding Gaza ceasefire negotiations.

The fighting comes as senior U.S. officials in the region pushed for a ceasefire after Hamas made concessions last week.