Israeli forces pressed on with intensified attacks in the Gaza Strip's biggest southern city and a central refugee camp, after the besieged Palestinian territory's health ministry reported more than 21,000 people had been killed in 11 weeks of war.
The continued air strikes and the expansion of operations in the south came as the WHO warned on Wednesday that Gaza's population was in "grave peril", with France's president calling for a long-term ceasefire.
Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said on Wednesday that strikes on a central refugee camp in Gaza had entered a third day, and that an additional brigade had been deployed to the southern city of Khan Younis, the recent focus of heavy urban combat.
He also hinted at a possible "expansion of fighting in the north" along the Lebanese border, which has seen repeated exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah since the war in Gaza broke out.
Following a visit to the border earlier in the day, army chief Herzi Halevi said the military had "approved plans for a variety of contingencies, and we need to be prepared to strike if required".
According to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures, Hamas' October 7 attack has left about 1,140 people dead.
Hamas also took around 250 captives, 129 of whom remain in Gaza, Israel says.
Israel's relentless bombardment and ground invasion have killed at least 21,300 people, mostly women and children, according to the latest toll from the Palestinian health ministry in Gaza.