Israel opens temporary evacuation route in Gaza City amid ground assault

Israel announced on Wednesday a "temporary" new route for residents to flee Gaza City, as it launched an intense ground offensive after massive bombardment of the Palestinian territory's main city.

The Israeli military "announces the opening of a temporary transportation route via Salah al-Din Street", spokesman Avichay Adraee said in a statement, adding that "the route will be open for 48 hours only".

Israel launched its long-anticipated ground offensive in Gaza City on Tuesday, targeting Hamas militants and prompting widespread international alarm, with the UN condemning it as "carnage".

A United Nations commission accused Israel of committing "genocide" in the Palestinian territory, saying Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials had incited the crime.

"Over the past 24 hours, following extensive discussions with the political echelon, the IDF (military) has significantly expanded its operation in Gaza City," said army chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir.

"We are operating deep in the area, combining ground troops, precision strikes and high-quality intelligence. Our objective is to enhance the strikes on Hamas until its decisive defeat."

UN chief Antonio Guterres said Israel was "determined to go up to the end".

Israel was "not open to a serious negotiation for a ceasefire, with dramatic consequences from Israel's point of view", he said.

The military estimated there were 2,000 to 3,000 Hamas militants in central Gaza City, and that about 40 per cent of residents had left and moved to the south, an army official told journalists.

An AFP journalist saw many people, including children, sleeping in front of a hospital in Gaza City after fleeing their homes. "The people do not have money to move to the south or even to move internally," said Youssef Shanaa, who had taken refuge at the hospital.

People spoke of relentless bombing in Gaza City, much of which is already in ruins after nearly two years of Israeli strikes.

Only huge piles of rubble remained of a residential block in the north of the city, hit by overnight bombing. "Why kill children sleeping safely like that, turning them into body parts?" said Abu Abd Zaquout. "We pulled the children out in pieces."