Israeli tanks pushed further into Rafah and parts of central Gaza and Shujaiya on Sunday as it intensified its ground assault on the besieged enclave.

Residents told Reuters that Israeli tanks had killed at least six people and destroyed several homes in Rafah on Sunday.

Speaking after his weekly Sunday cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised his troops and said they would continue fighting until "Hamas is eliminated".

Israeli officials have repeatedly said that the regime won’t be able to defeat Hamas. 

“This business of destroying Hamas, making Hamas disappear – it’s simply throwing sand in the eyes of the public. Hamas is an idea, Hamas is a party. It’s rooted in the hearts of the people – whoever thinks we can eliminate Hamas is wrong,” Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said on June 19.