In the latest strikes, the Israeli military killed at least nine people, according to the Gaza health ministry. Israel says militants were threatening its forces.

At least nine people have been killed and several others injured in an Israeli attack in northern Gaza, the enclave’s ministry of health said Saturday, making it the deadliest incident since the ceasefire went into effect in January.

Gaza's civil defence agency said nine people including journalists were killed in Israeli strikes on Saturday, attacks which could further endanger the fragile truce in the Palestinian territory.

Hamas says it will release American Israeli Edan Alexander and the bodies of four other hostages only if Israel implements their cease-fire agreement.

Hamas says it will only release an American-Israeli and the bodies of four other hostages if Israel implements the existing ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, calling it an “exceptional deal” aimed at getting the truce back on track.

A senior Hamas official said talks over the ceasefire's second phase would need to begin the day of the release and last no longer than 50 days. Israel would also need to stop barring the entry of humanitarian aid.