Intense urban fighting raged in and around the Gaza Strip’s largest cities on Friday, as the death toll continues to rise. After the first phase of its ground offensive in northern Gaza, Israel’s army extended operations southwards this week, where nearly two million civilians are now trapped. They are cornered in a territory that grows increasingly cramped. Israeli soldiers, supported by airstrikes, engaged Hamas fighters on Thursday in Khan Younis, the largest city in south Gaza. It has become the epicentre of the war, along with neighbouring Jabaliya. Gaza’s death toll rose to 17,177 people…