Israeli air strikes in Gaza killed at least five people on Friday, according to the territory's civil defense agency. Two people were killed and another seriously injured in a strike in central Gaza early in the morning, while a separate drone strike in the south killed three more and wounded several others.

The violence comes despite a truce brokered by the United States that entered its second phase last month. Under the agreement, which began on October 10, Israeli troops pulled back to positions behind the so-called 'Yellow Line' but still control more than half of the territory.

Gaza's health ministry has reported that at least 601 people have been killed since the ceasefire began. The Israeli military says four of its soldiers have also been killed during the same period. Casualty figures could not be independently verified due to media restrictions and limited access to the area.