GAZA, Palestine 

At least 53 Palestinians were killed and scores of others injured early Tuesday in Israeli airstrikes on residential areas of Khan Younis and Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

The death toll was initially put at 51 but was later revised higher.

The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that Israeli warplanes launched attacks on residences and a fuel station in Khan Younis.

It said medical sources reported that 23 Palestinians were killed, including children, and 45 others were injured and transferred to Nasser Hospital, some in serious condition.

More than 30 Palestinians were also killed in a similar Israeli attack targeting several houses in Rafah, according to WAFA.

Operations to rescue the victims from under the rubble are still underway, according to WAFA.