Strikes in the central part of the territory targeted a city, Deir al-Balah, that had largely been spared and that had become an informal refuge for Palestinians fleeing other areas.

The World Health Organization says Israel's ground offensive has compromised its efforts to continue working, after its facilities were attacked.

All options are on the table if Israel does not deliver on its pledges to facilitate humanitarian aid in Gaza, the European Union's top diplomat said on Tuesday.

President Donald Trump was caught by surprise last week by Israeli actions in Gaza and Syria, and in both instances phoned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “rectify” the matter, according to the White House.

The UN agency says Israel's ground offensive in Deir al-Balah has compromised its efforts to continue working.

The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, called the joint statement issued by a host of U.S. allies "disgusting."

The foreign ministers of 25 Western nations have slammed Israel for “drip feeding” aid into the Gaza Strip, as the health ministry in the territory said that more than 1,000 people have been killed seeking humanitarian relief there since late May.

In a joint statement the countries call for an end to the war and the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

Israeli tanks pushed into southern and eastern districts of the Gazan city of Deir al-Balah for the first time, an area where Israeli sources said the military believes hostages may be held.

The head of the agency that helps oversee international aid deliveries to the territory has criticized the impact of Israeli policy on civilians.

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered outside Parliament House on Tuesday, calling for the government to impose sanctions on Israel after Australia joined another 27 countries in issuing a joint statement,