Fighting between Israel and Hamas in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis is "intense, and many believe it will remain intense for weeks," said ABC news corrsepondend Jordanna Miller, speaking to FRANCE 24 from Jerusalem. Urban hand-to-hand combat in the southern city has raised the death toll on both sides, as Israel's defence minister says international calls for a ceasefire are incompatible with its pledge to destroy Hamas in the Palestinian enclave.