Israeli strike kills five in Gaza apartment

An Israeli airstrike on Saturday killed at least five Palestinians, including four women, in an apartment building in Gaza City, health officials said.

Gaza City apartment strike

The strike destroyed the apartment block and started a fire, medics said. Among the dead were a Christian mother and her daughter, medics added. An eyewitness, Ahmed Al-Dahdouh, said: "We were asleep and suddenly heard continuous strikes, and heavy explosions." He described neighbours pulled from rubble.

Gaza health officials have reported at least 1,400 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire since last October’s ceasefire; Israeli authorities say four of their soldiers have been killed over the same period, officials said. Israel has accused Hamas of rearming and carrying out attacks in violation of the ceasefire; Hamas denies those claims and accuses Israel of undermining the peace deal.

The strike came as little progress has been made on implementing a ceasefire agreement that called for eventual reconstruction of Gaza. Aid groups and local authorities have previously warned that renewed escalations would complicate access for reconstruction and humanitarian work.

Health officials did not provide a timetable for updates; further casualty tallies and official statements are likely in the coming 48–72 hours, officials said.