By Reuters | Posted by TOE

Israeli strikes killed at least five Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in two separate attacks on ​Saturday, health officials said.

Medics said an Israeli strike ‌killed four people near Panda Mall in Gaza City, while another killed one person in the Tuffah neighbourhood further south ​of the city.

The Israeli military said the two ​strikes targeted militants, without giving further information.

Israel has ⁠stepped up strikes against Hamas in recent weeks, saying ​the Palestinian militant group has been rearming and carrying out ​attacks in violation of the ceasefire.

Hamas denies rebuilding its arsenal or planning attacks and accuses Israel of undermining a US-brokered ceasefire, opens new tab agreed ​a year ago.

The ceasefire calls for eventual reconstruction of ​the territory. But little progress has been made towards implementing a ‌deal ⁠to end the conflict that includes terms for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw its troops.

Gaza health officials have said at least 1,400 Palestinians have been ​killed by Israeli ​fire since ⁠the truce was agreed last October. Israel says four of its soldiers have been ​killed by militants in Gaza over the ​same period.

The ⁠Gaza war was triggered by the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel, which killed 1,200 people, while a further ⁠251 ​were taken hostage.

Israel’s subsequent bombardment ​and ground operations in Gaza have killed more than 74,000 people, according ​to Gaza health officials.