Israel has killed at least 27 Palestinians and wounded 77 more in the besieged Gaza Strip, marking a fresh violation of last month’s US-brokered ceasefire.

The attacks took place as the Saudi Crown Prince visited Washington DC.

Gaza Civil Defence said Israeli strikes hit areas from which troops were supposed to have withdrawn under the ceasefire terms.

Local media reported that 17 women and children were among the dead.

The Israeli army confirmed carrying out an attack on al-Mawasi in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. Three separate strikes targeted Gaza City in the north and Khan Younis in the south, according to Palestinian media.

At least 12 people were killed in the Gaza City strikes, while another 10 died in Khan Younis. All the attacks occurred well beyond the agreed “yellow line” that separates Israeli-held zones from areas vacated under the ceasefire, medics and witnesses said.

One strike hit a building belonging to Muslim religious authorities in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighbourhood, while another targeted a UN-run club in Khan Younis. Both facilities were sheltering displaced families.

Emergency crews continue searching for survivors and evacuating the wounded, as casualty numbers are likely to rise,” WAFA news agency reported.