Daijiworld Media Network - Gaza

Gaza, Nov 2: At least three Palestinians were killed and several others injured in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip on Monday, according to health officials in the territory.

Medics said two people were killed and six others wounded in two separate airstrikes in Khan Younis in southern Gaza. A third person was killed in an Israeli strike in the town of Al-Mussadar.

The Israeli military confirmed carrying out two strikes in the enclave, saying they targeted Palestinian militants. It did not provide further details about the operations.

Israel has stepped up strikes in recent weeks, accusing Hamas of rebuilding its military capabilities and launching attacks in violation of the year-old ceasefire. Hamas has denied attempting to carry out attacks or rebuild its arsenal, and has accused Israel of undermining the Gaza peace agreement.

The US-brokered ceasefire reached last year envisaged the eventual reconstruction of the devastated territory. However, progress has remained limited, with negotiators yet to reach an agreement on the disarmament of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli troops.

Israeli forces continue to control about two-thirds of the Gaza Strip, from which residents have been ordered to leave. Most of Gaza's more than two million people are living in the remaining part of the enclave, amid the ruins of war, largely in makeshift tents and damaged buildings. The area remains under Hamas's effective control.

According to Gaza health officials, at least 1,580 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire came into effect. Israel has reported the deaths of four of its soldiers during the same period.

Palestinian authorities say more than 74,000 people have been killed in Israel's military offensive in Gaza, which began after Hamas-led fighters attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people.