Israeli strike kills five in Gaza

An ‌Israeli airstrike killed at least five Palestinians ​in ⁠an apartment building in ‌Gaza City early ‌on Saturday, health and civil defence service officials said.

There was no immediate ‌comment from the Israeli military.

The US ⁠brokered a ceasefire in the territory last year but negotiators have not agreed on terms for Hamas to disarm and for Israel to withdraw ​its troops.

Israel, which says Hamas has ‌been rearming and launching attacks in violation of an October ceasefire, ⁠has stepped up strikes on the group in recent weeks.

Mourners carry the body of a Palestinian who was killed in an early morning Israeli airstrike on Saturday. AP

Hamas has denied trying to ​carry ‌out attacks or rebuild its arsenal ‌and accuses Israel of undermining the Gaza peace deal.

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

Reuters