The Palestinian Health Ministry says some 2,019 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the small, densely populated coastal territory since fighting started on July 8.
Sixty-four Israeli soldiers and three civilians in Israel have also been killed during the offensive, which the Jewish state launched with the stated aim of halting militant fire.
MORE VIOLENCE FEARED
Suggesting that Israel expected more violence, the military instructed Israeli civilians to open bomb shelters as far as 80 km (50 miles) from Gaza, or beyond the Tel Aviv area.
Israel's Channel 10 TV said those instructions may have been issued in anticipation of the retaliation that might follow were Israel to target a senior Hamas official. The station did not identify the official.
Israelis living within a seven km (four mile) range were urged to sleep in safe rooms or shelters.