At least 24 people were killed by Israeli fire in Gaza on Wednesday after fighting resumed in several areas of the coastal enclave, according to the territory's health authority.

The reported deaths underscore the fragility of the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

What has been reported about the deaths?

The Gaza health authority said at least 24 people had been killed across the territory since early Wednesday.

Four of the deaths occurred during Israeli shelling in southern Gaza, it said.

Palestinian health officials also reported fatalities in several neighborhoods of Gaza City in the north. The claims have not been independently verified.

Gaza health officials say that more than 556 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since the ceasefire went into effect. The United Nations largely regards the ministry's numbers as credible.

Israel's military has said that four Israeli soldiers have been killed in the same time period.

What has the Israeli military said?

The Israel Defense Forces said they carried out several strikes in northern Gaza after Palestinians opened fire on Israeli soldiers.

The military said an Israeli soldier was seriously wounded in the incident.

It claimed the shots were fired by "terrorists" near the so-called yellow line, beyond which Israeli forces have withdrawn under the ceasefire agreement. This claim has not been verified by other sources.

Edited by: Elizabeth Schumacher