The death toll in the Gaza Strip continues to rise amid the ongoing fighting between Israeli troops and Hamas fighters. A media report says Israeli attacks have killed 70 Palestinians in a 24-hour period in central Gaza.

The Israeli military continued to step up its offensive across the Gaza Strip through Tuesday.

The military said it attacked operational compounds in the southern city of Khan Younis where Hamas kept massive amounts of arms. It also said its troops killed dozens of Hamas fighters in Jabalia in the north.

Qatar-based satellite TV network Al Jazeera reported that refugee camps and other places in central Gaza came under intensive attacks by Israeli forces, leaving 70 people dead in a 24-hour period.
Health authorities in Gaza say a total of 21,978 deaths were confirmed as of January 1.

An analysis shows that nearly 70 percent of houses in the Gaza Strip have sustained damage. There is an urgent need to secure shelter for residents to take refuge from rain and wind in the cold weather.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society and others are setting up tents in Khan Younis for refugees. But local health officials say people there face food shortages, and infectious diseases are also spreading.