Israeli airstrikes kill five Palestinians in Gaza amid ongoing clashes

Gaza health authorities confirmed that two Israeli strikes on Saturday caused at least five Palestinian deaths: four near the Panda Mall in Gaza City and one in the Tuffah neighbourhood further south. Israeli officials stated the attacks were aimed at militants, but offered no additional information. The strikes occur amid a recent escalation in Israeli operations against Hamas, which the group says it is not rearming and blames Israel for weakening a ceasefire negotiated by the United States a year ago.

The ceasefire envisions eventual reconstruction of Gaza, yet progress on the broader agreement remains limited. Since the truce began last October, Gaza health officials have recorded at least 1,400 Palestinian deaths, while Israel reports four of its soldiers killed by militants in the same period. The broader conflict, sparked by Hamas's October 7 attacks, has resulted in a death toll exceeding 74,000 Palestinians according to Gaza authorities.