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, which claims Hamas has been rea­­rming and launching attacks in violation of an October ceasefire, has stepped up strikes on the group in recent weeks. Hamas has denied trying to carry out att­a­cks or rebuild its arsenal and accuses Isr­ael of undermining the Gaza peace deal.

Last year’s US-brokered ceasefire calls for eventual reconstruction of the territory. But little progress has been made as negotiators have failed to agree on terms for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw its troops.

Israeli air strikes have continued, with at least 1,400 Palestinians killed in Gaza since the ceasefire, according to the territory’s health officials, while Israel claims four of its soldiers have been killed.

Palestinian authorities say more than 74,000 people have been killed in Israel’s assault on Gaza, launched in October 2023.

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2026