LIVE UPDATES: Israel Defense Forces Strike Hezbollah's Observation Point Along Lebanon Border

"I’ve seen the report. I have no evidence to show that it’s accurate," Miller said during a briefing when asked if the US government has any knowledge of Israel using the substance.

Israel used to maintain a buffer zone inside the Gaza Strip after it withdrew from it in 2005, but with time, the buffer eroded partly due to negotiations with Hamas to ease blockade on Gaza, media reported.

The move was reportedly prompted by security concerns.

The goal of destroying Hamas will be a higher priority for the Israeli military than solving the hostage situation and avoiding civilian casualties, the minister said, adding that Israel is ready for the fact that the operation may take up to a year.

"It should be recalled that it was the failed US policy in the Palestinian-Israeli direction that provoked the current catastrophic escalation. Arrogantly blocking all efforts within the framework of the Middle East settlement, the US has been doing nothing in recent years but methodically 'sweeping under rug' the peace process and the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinians for their own state, promised to them back in 1947," the statement said.

The official added that Hamas "controls the situation on the ground and knows when to strike."

"At the moment, 18 people are dead and dozens are injured as a result of [Israel's] shelling of several houses in the vicinity of the Anwar Aziz mosque in the Jabalia camp," the ministry said in a statement.

On Wednesday, Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia called for an objective investigation into the incident and for the perpetrators to face prosecution.

"Al-Qassam Brigades are shelling Tel Aviv in response to crimes of the invader [Israel] against the population of the Nur Shams camp," the military wing said in a statement.