GAZA/CAIRO/AMMAN - The Israeli army on Sunday expanded its ground operations in and around Gaza City, pushing tanks into residential neighborhoods under the cover of airstrikes and artillery fire, heightening fears of a full-scale invasion of the densely populated enclave.

Residents said Israeli armor rolled into the Zeitoun and al-Sabra districts south of Gaza City, and into Jabalia in the north, as warplanes pounded buildings and homes. Explosions and "fire belts" -- strips of land set ablaze by incendiary munitions -- were reported, forcing dozens of families to flee westward and southward in search of safety.

Mahmoud Basal, spokesman for Gaza's Civil Defense, said air and drone strikes hit homes, apartments, a school and tents for displaced people across the Strip. He said Israeli forces also opened fire on Palestinians gathering near two aid centers in central and southern Gaza. At least 25 people were killed and dozens wounded since dawn, he said.

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Palestinian officials said high-rise buildings were hit in Zeitoun, Sabra and Jabalia, leaving many families trapped. Hospitals, already badly damaged and short of supplies, were struggling to cope. "The displaced do not know where to go. There are no safe areas left," Basal said.

The Hamas-run Gaza government media office condemned Israel's threats to invade Gaza City, home to more than 1 million people. It called the plan a "dangerous escalation" and warned an assault would amount to "a major war crime" given the collapse of the health system.

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry urged "decisive international action" to halt "Israel's deliberate policy" of famine. It said Gaza's hunger crisis was not caused by lack of resources but by blockade and bombardment, and vowed to press its case through diplomatic and legal channels.

The Israeli military said its forces had re-entered Jabalia to "further degrade Hamas' military capabilities," dismantling infrastructure above and below ground and preventing fighters from returning. "The troops' activity enables the expansion of combat into additional areas," it said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Hamas said it had agreed to a partial prisoner exchange and was ready for a full truce, but accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of blocking a deal despite mediation by Egypt and Qatar. Hamas said only a ceasefire could secure the release of all Israeli hostages and held Netanyahu responsible for their fate.

Health authorities in Gaza said at least 10,842 Palestinians had been killed and 45,910 wounded since Israel stepped up its offensive on March 18. That brought the total death toll since the war began in October 2023 to 62,686, with 157,951 others injured. Officials said 289 people, including 115 children, had died from malnutrition or starvation, eight of them in the past 24 hours.

READ MORE: UN confirms famine in Gaza, warns of catastrophic spread

Netanyahu on Thursday said he had instructed officials to begin "immediate negotiations" for the release of hostages in Gaza and an end to the war, while also vowing to approve military plans to seize Gaza City.

He did not say how or where the negotiations would begin. Israel's Ynet news site, citing a senior official, reported that no delegation is expected to depart for Doha or Cairo at this stage.

Egypt sends new aid 

Egypt on Sunday sent a new humanitarian convoy to Gaza, resuming aid deliveries after Israel's weekend closure of the crossings, state news agency MENA said.

The convoy, part of the "Provision of Honor: From Egypt to Gaza" initiative run by the Egyptian Red Crescent, crossed from Rafah to Kerem Shalom for inspection by Israeli authorities before entering Gaza. It carried flour, legumes, bread, fuel, medicines and other essential supplies.

The move came days after the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a UN-backed body, confirmed famine in parts of Gaza and warned of catastrophic hunger, acute shortages of food, medicine, and fuel.

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Egypt's Foreign Ministry said last week it had provided more than 70 percent of all aid delivered to Gaza since the war began, sending over 550,000 tonnes of supplies, though 5,000 trucks remain stuck on the Egyptian side of Rafah.

Jordan does Gaza airdrop

Jordan on Sunday carried out another airdrop of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and received additional relief shipments from Slovenia, as part of ongoing efforts to support Palestinians amid the deepening crisis.

The Jordan Armed Forces said Royal Jordanian Air Force aircraft, joined by planes from Germany, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia, dropped about 41 tonnes of food and relief supplies over Gaza. Since July 27, Jordan has conducted 162 airdrops, while combined operations with partner countries have reached 392, delivering around 791 tonnes of aid.

Separately, the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization said two Slovenian aircraft carrying urgent humanitarian supplies landed at Marka Military Airport on Aug 18 and 24. Slovenia has so far sent eight planes, with two more expected before the end of August.