Israeli airstrikes and artillery attacks killed late on Friday nine Palestinians in southern Gaza Strip, medical sources said.

Six people from same family were killed and five others injured in an Israeli airstrike on their home in Rafah City, medics said.

The situation in Gaza has dramatically worsened hours after a 72-hour UN-backed ceasefire came into force as Israeli artillery fire pounded Rafah City, killing and injuring dozens Palestinians.

Israel said the bombardment came after Hamas breached the ceasefire deal by carrying out attack against Israeli soldiers in near Gaza.

More than 1,620 Palestinians have been killed and some 8,700 people have been injured since Israel stepped up an offensive on Gaza on July 8.

On the Israel side, 61 soldiers and three civilians were also killed.

Source: ANTARA