The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Avichay Adraee, an Israeli military spokesman, had warned on Tuesday night of an impending attack on parts of northern Gaza where he said militants had been firing rockets at Israeli territory.

At least 22 children were killed in Gaza early Wednesday in a punishing series of Israeli airstrikes on homes in northern Gaza, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

In the meantime, Israeli air strikes have killed at least 16 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip, following a deadly 24-hour period in which more than 100 people lost their lives, according to medical officials.