Israel launches strikes on Gaza in further test of fragile ceasefire

Israel says it has begun striking Hamas targets in Gaza, reportedly killing at least 24 people, after what it called a "blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement".

Local health authorities in Gaza said there had been four separate airstrikes.

One hit a car in the densely populated Rimal neighbourhood of Gaza City, killing 11 people and wounding several others.

At least 13 people died in strikes on houses near Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza, Deir al Balah and Nuseirat camp, according to health officials in Gaza.

At least 54 people, including children, have been injured in the four Israeli airstrikes.

The Israeli military said there had been a "blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement" after what it called an "armed terrorist" crossed into Israeli-held territory and shot at troops in southern Gaza. It said no soldiers were hurt.

In a statement, it said the gunman had exploited "the humanitarian road in the area through which humanitarian aid enters southern Gaza".

A Hamas official rejected the Israeli military's allegations as baseless, calling them an "excuse to kill", adding the Palestinian group was committed to the ceasefire agreement.

In a separate statement, Israel's military said its soldiers killed what it called five "terrorists" in two other incidents.

It said three were shot dead in the Rafah area, while two others were killed when they crossed into Israeli-held areas in northern Gaza and advanced toward soldiers.

The Israeli airstrikes are a further test of a fragile ceasefire with Hamas, which has held since 10 October following the two-year Gaza war.

Israel pulled back its troops, and the flow of aid into the territory has increased. But violence has not completely halted.

Palestinian health authorities say Israeli forces have killed 316 people in strikes on Gaza since the truce.

Meanwhile, Israel says three of its soldiers have been killed since the ceasefire began and it has attacked scores of militants.

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