The health ministry in Hamas-ruled Gaza on Saturday says at least 7,703 people have been killed in the war with Israel that erupted on October, and over 3,500 children were among the dead.
The ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel has caused the highest number of fatalities in Gaza since Israel unilaterally withdrew from the territory in 2005.
The Army said on Friday evening said Israel intensified its bombardment of the Gaza Strip, striking dozens of Hamas targets, especially underground tunnels.
The blistering air and artillery assault destroyed hundreds of buildings and thousands of houses across the strip, the civil defence service in the Palestinian territory said.