Israeli forces struck the Gaza Strip on Friday, as the UN's top court was due to rule on a plea to halt the military offensive over accusations of "genocide".
On the ground in Gaza, witnesses and AFP correspondents reported overnight air and naval strikes on Gaza City and gunfire to its south, with several casualties reported in two separate raids on residential blocks in the city's north and centre.
Israel in early May launched an assault on Rafah, the last city in Gaza to be entered by its ground troops, defying global opposition and sending more than 800,000 people fleeing, according to UN figures.
"We're not smashing into Rafah; we're operating carefully and precisely," Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said.
In a statement Friday, the Israeli army said its "troops are continuing operations against terror targets" in the southern city, where they had "destroyed weapon storage facilities" and tunnel shafts.
A local Palestinian source said military vehicles were advancing from eastern Rafah towards the city centre.
Urban combat has flared again in northern areas of the Palestinian territory, which Israeli forces initially entered months ago.
"We hear nothing but the sound of explosions and gunfire," said Mahmud al-Sharif, 31, in the Jabalia refugee camp.
On Friday, a local source reported helicopters firing at the camp and renewed artillery shelling in the area.
The military reported "targeted raids" in the Jabalia area and........