Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera says an Israeli airstrike on a city in the northern part of the Gaza Strip on Saturday killed at least 73 people.

Al Jazeera reported that the casualties in the attack on a residential area of Beit Lahiya included many children and women.

Many others are also reported to have been injured.

Footage aired by Al Jazeera shows people combing through the rubble to find survivors in the dark using flashlights and carrying out the injured on stretchers.

The Israeli military has also been stepping up its operations in the neighboring city of Jabalia. Local media reported on Saturday that a total of 30 people were killed in a bombardment on a number of houses.

Al Jazeera says that Israel targeted the places in Beit Lihiya, where many people fleeing the attack in Jabalia had taken shelter.

The Israeli forces are ramping up their offensive in Gaza, even after Thursday's announcement of the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

Multiple media outlets have reported that the United States will send Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Israel on Tuesday in an apparent bid to explore the resumption of ceasefire talks with Hamas.

But any negotiations could see rough going as the Islamic group is also poised to keep its hardline stance.