Israel battled Hamas militants on Saturday in pursuit of its elusive goal of full control of northern Gaza after the U.N. Security Council appealed for more aid for the Palestinian enclave but stopped short of demanding a ceasefire.

Thick smoke hung over the northern town of Jabalia and residents reported persistent aerial bombardment and shelling from Israeli tanks, which they said had moved further into the town.

Hamas' armed wing Al Qassam Brigades said it had destroyed five Israeli tanks in the area, killing and injuring their crews, after reusing two undetonated missiles launched earlier by Israel. Reuters could not independently verify the report.

Residents transfer the wounded to Shuhada Al Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza. pic.twitter.com/ZYCwOIbL08
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) December 23, 2023

Israel's chief military spokesperson said that its forces had achieved almost complete operational control of northern Gaza and were preparing to expand the ground offensive to other areas in the Strip, with a focus on the south.

U.S. President Joe Biden discussed the situation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, the White House said. Israel's main ally has kept up its support while expressing concern over the growing casualty toll and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Biden declined to detail his conversation with Netanyahu, telling reporters it was a "private conversation."

But, he added: "I did not ask for a ceasefire."

Eight IDF soldiers were killed in battle in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, the IDF Spokesperson's announced on Sunday morning.

Staff.-Sgt. David Bogdanovskyi, 19, Staff.-Sgt. Orel Bashan, 20, Staff.-Sgt. Gal Hershko, 20, and Staff.-Sgt. Itamar Shemen, 21, fell in battle in the southern Gaza Strip.

Master-Sgt. (res.) Nadav Issachar Farhi, 30, Master-Sgt. (res.) Eliyahu Meir Ohana, 28, Sgt.-First Class (res.) Elyassaf Shoshan, 23, and Sgt.-First Class (res.) Ohad Ashur, 23, fell in battle in the central Gaza Strip.