Israel's military has continued its offensive into Gaza City and the Gaza Strip as 10 countries look set to recognise a Palestinian state.
IDF tanks rolled through the city's streets as Israeli troops dismantled underground shafts and destroyed booby-trapped buildings which they believe to have been organised by Hamas.
At least 60 Palestinians died as a result of the operation, according to Gazan health authorities, while the IDF said one of its soldiers was injured by a sniper shot on the outskirts of the city.
The Israeli military say many Hamas field commanders were killed during the mission.
It is believed more than 300,000 people have fled Gaza City as a result of the military's expansion, with images this week showing displaced Palestinians - including children - looking for safe refuge.
Israeli forces have targeted the Sheikh Radwan and Tel Al-Hawa areas, with the military estimating that it has demolished up to 20 tower blocks over the past fortnight.
From where they are striking, the IDF would be positioned to advance on central and western parts of the city - where most of Gaza City's remaining population is believed to be sheltering.
It comes as Britain and nine other countries are scheduled to formally recognise an independent Palestinian state ahead of the annual leaders' gathering at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly tomorrow.
The UN meet in New York will take place just days after the global governmental body said Israel was committing a genocide. They said it is 'clear there is an intent to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza'.
Sir Keir Starmer was pressed on his decision to recognise the Palestinian state at a press conference alongside Donald Trump at his country residence, Chequers, earlier this week.
The Prime Minister said the move was part of a 'process' that could eventually lead to a two-state solution and that it was not a reward for Hamas, who he says could have no role in running an independent state.
The US President openly disagreed with Sir Keir's comments, saying: 'I have a disagreement with the Prime Minister on that score, one of our few disagreements, actually.'
Hamas' military wing released a montage-type image of Israeli hostages on the messaging site Telegram, warning that their lives were at risk due to Israel's continued military offensive.
Hamas estimates that since August 11, Israel's military has destroyed or damaged more than 1,800 residential buildings in Gaza City, and destroyed more than 13,000 tents housing displaced families.
The group claims around around 900,000 people remain in Gaza, including Israeli hostages - of which 20 are thought to be alive.
In almost two years of fighting, Israel's offensive has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians and caused widespread famine, say Gazan health authorities.
However, Israel says the hunger crisis in Gaza has been exaggerated and that much of the blame lies with Hamas.
COGAT, the arm of the Israeli military that oversees aid flows into the enclave, said earlier that Hamas fired at U.N. teams on Saturday and prevented the opening of a new humanitarian route in the southern Gaza Strip.
The war began after Hamas led attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper branded Israel's offensive 'utterly reckless and appalling' earlier this week, saying it would 'only bring more bloodshed, kill more innocent civilians and endanger the remaining hostages'.
Britain is providing medical treatment to badly wounded Palestinian children, with between 30 and 50 understood to have been admitted to hospitals after being airlifted to the UK.
Elsewhere, the US continues to support Israel. The presence of Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jerusalem when the offensive began has been interpreted as the White House giving its backing.
Boasting about the Israeli military's achievements on social media, defence minister Israel Katz said: 'Gaza is burning. We will not relent or turn back until the mission is complete.'