JERUSALEM, May 16, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Israel's military said Thursday five soldiers had been killed in fighting in the northern Gaza Strip, more than seven months into its war against Hamas militants.

The soldiers were killed "in battle" on Wednesday, the army said in a statement, without elaborating on the cause of their deaths, taking to 278 the number of Israeli troops killed in the Gaza military campaign since the start of the ground offensive on October 27.