NEW DELHI: Israel's military announced on Thursday that five soldiers were killed in the northern Gaza Strip. The intense fighting has resumed over seven months into their war against
Hamas militants
.
The soldiers were killed "in battle' on Wednesday, the army in a statement said, without giving insights on the cause of casualties.
The latest fatalities have increased the total number of Israeli troops killed in the Gaza military campaign since the
ground offensive
began on October 27 to 278.
Fighting has raged in recent days in northern Gaza, with an Israeli army spokesman saying there were "attempts by Hamas to rebuild its military capabilities' months after Israel had declared the Palestinian armed group's command structure in the area dismantled.
There have been fierce battles and heavy Israeli bombardments reported in the
north Gaza
's Jabalia refugee camp and the central Nuseirat camp. These incidents occurred after the army initiated a 'targeted' operation that was primarily focused on the southern city of Rafah in early May.
(With inputs from agencies)