JERUSALEM 

The Israeli army announced Saturday that five soldiers were killed during battles in the Gaza Strip with Palestinian fighters.

The Israeli Ynet news website cited a military statement that said four soldiers were killed in a booby-trapped tunnel in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza, while the fifth was killed in battles also in the north.

The number of Israeli army soldiers killed since the start of ground operations on Oct. 27 in Gaza rose to 43.

The army is facing fierce battles from the Palestinian resistant groups in different areas across Gaza.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip -- including hospitals, residences, and houses of worship -- since a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, on Oct. 7.

At least 11,078 Palestinians have been killed, including 4,506 children and 3,027 women.

The Israeli death toll is nearly 1,200, according to official figures.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar