The UN and non-governmental organisations warned earlier this week that an Israeli offensive in Gaza City would have a “horrific humanitarian impact”.
“We reiterate our commitment to serve people wherever they are, and we remain present in Gaza City to provide lifesaving support,” they stated.
They also warned that hospitals in the south were “operating at several times their capacity, and taking on patients from the north would have life-threatening consequences”.
Motasem Dalloul, a journalist in Gaza City, told the BBC he had seen and heard multiple Israeli air strikes there on Thursday.
“From time to time there are fighter jets which carry out attacks that destroy homes and other facilities, mainly in the eastern side of Gaza City, in Zeitoun neighbourhood and Sabra neighbourhood,” he said.
The Hamas-run Civil Defence agency said at least 48 people were killed by Israeli strikes and fire across Gaza on Thursday, including eight in Sabra.
Mr Dalloul also said a “large number” of Israeli drones were flying overhead.
Some were broadcasting messages to residents, telling them to evacuate to “safe zones” in the south of Gaza, he said. But he disputed that such areas were safe, saying people were being killed “in every corner” of the south.
“A lot of people are intending not to move from the city,” he said. “They believe that if we will be killed, let’s be killed in our homes.”