Israeli forces are intensifying their attacks on Khan Younis in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.

Military spokesperson Daniel Hagari told reporters on Friday that Israeli forces have detained more than 200 people in the past 48 hours. He said they've taken dozens of them, including Hamas commanders, to Israel for interrogation.

He said soldiers have eliminated many terrorists, and that an increasing number of them have surrendered.

Hagari also said soldiers had made an unsuccessful attempt to free Israeli hostages and that two soldiers were seriously wounded in the ensuing clash with militants.

The military is launching a wave of attacks on Khan Younis from both the ground and the air in a bid to find the leader of Hamas in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, who it believes is hiding in the city.

Military commanders say their forces eliminated dozens of Hamas fighters and destroyed multiple underground tunnels. They say they raided Hamas bases in the city and found weapons and documents in the homes of senior leaders.

Reuters quoted Palestinian health officials as saying at least 10 people were killed and many others wounded when Israeli forces bombed a family home in Khan Younis on Friday.

The attacks on the city are forcing many residents to flee further south to Rafah, and worsening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters on Friday that the US shares international concerns about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

He said the administration is mindful of the extreme suffering inside the enclave, and that it is doing everything it can to help alleviate it.

Kirby also said the White House has been talking to Israel about the possibility of opening the Kerem Shalom crossing to allow for more aid movement into Gaza. Currently, relief supplies are being trucked in through the Rafah checkpoint on Gaza's border with Egypt.