Israeli strikes killed at least five Palestinians in the Gaza Strip yesterday, Palestinian health officials said, as a US-based research group reported a surge in Israeli attacks to levels not seen since the latest truce took effect in October.

Medics said an Israeli airstrike killed two people near the Tuffah neighbourhood in the north of the enclave, while a third person was killed in Israeli tank shelling in the Zeitoun suburb in eastern Gaza City.

Another airstrike at a tent encampment for displaced people in western Gaza City killed one person and wounded several, while an attack on a vehicle in Khan Younis, in the south, killed another, medics said.

Witnesses also reported that an airstrike hit a residential building in Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza. The Israeli military had no immediate comment on any of the incidents.

The deaths add to a toll of more than 1,100 Palestinians, mostly civilians, killed by Israeli attacks since an October ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to end the war took effect, according to Gazan health officials. Hamas does not usually disclose its losses.

Conflict monitor ACLED, which tracks Israeli attacks in Gaza, said air- and drone strikes against Hamas and other groups increased to more than 40 in June, the highest monthly total since the ceasefire.