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Israeli strikes kill five people in Gaza, say medics

People mourn Palestinians who were killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza City. — Reuters
 
People mourn Palestinians who were killed in an Israeli air strike in Gaza City. — Reuters

CAIRO: 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.
Israel has stepped up strikes against Hamas in recent weeks, saying the Palestinian 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 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 in Gaza ⁠over the same ​period. Since the war started, Israel's bombardment and ground operations in Gaza ​have killed more than 74,000 people, according to Gaza health officials. — Reuters