Israeli forces encircle main southern Gaza city

Israeli forces continue their offensive in southern Gaza's main city on Wednesday, battling Hamas militants through streets and buildings in some of the most intense combat of the two-month conflict.

The focus of the conflict has shifted into the besieged territory's south following fierce fighting and bombardment that reduced much of the north to rubble and forced nearly two million people to flee their homes. Israel declared war on Hamas after the militant group's October 7 attacks that killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians and saw around 240 hostages taken.